Quantum technology for human needs

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to develop personalized medical solutions to improve the chances of curing patients. In order to do so, the metabolic process of heart tissue needs to be understood and observed on a molecular level. Current methods do not allow this in high resolution, and they furthermore rely on radioactive substances.

The MetaboliQs project is working to leverage room-temperature diamond quantum dynamics to enable safe multimodal cardiac imaging which can help better diagnosis of Cardiovascular Diseases.

Quantum technology offers a new approach:

Besides Quantum Communication, Quantum sensors will arguably be the basis for the first applications of Quantum Technologies. The project MetaboilQs develops an innovative diamond polarizer that is able to work at room temperature with a 160-times higher efficiency, offering a polarization that is 40-times faster and 4-times cheaper than before. By those means, quantum technology is being utilized for human needs.

 

Details on MetaboliQs

PROGRAMME:

 MetaboliQs - Leveraging room temperature diamond quantum dynamics to enable safe, first-of-its-kind, multimodal
cardiac imaging

PROJECT:

 Quantum Metrology and Sensing

THEME:

 Quantum Technologies

DURATION:

October, 2018 to September, 2021

BUDGET:

 6,667,801.25 €

CALL IDENTIFIER: 

 Horizon 2020, Call: H2020-FETFLAG-2018-2020 (FET FLAGSHIPS – Tackling grand interdisciplinary science and technology challenges), Topic: FETFLAG-03-2018, Type of action: RIA

Project partners

 

© NVision

NVision

A key development in quantum technologies has been the discovery of the unique quantum properties of individual nitrogen-vacancy defects (NV centers) in diamonds. Owing to the stiffness of the diamond lattice, the electron spin of individual NV centers can be initialized and detected by laser light, and manipulated with microwaves. NVision applys these remarkable features for revolutionizing sensing and imaging applications.

partner's webpage
 

© Fraunhofer IAF

Fraunhofer IAF

Core activities within the business unit »Diamond Devices« at Fraunhofer IAF are the growth of ultra-pure as well as intentionally doped diamond by plasma-assisted CVD and the development of techniques for the processing of diamond. The main research areas in this context are:

  • NV-doped CVD diamond for ultra-sensitive laser magnetometry
  • Defect centers in diamond for quantum magnetometry and single-photon emission
  • Diamond electrodes for electro- and biochemical sensors
  • Lenses made from single-crystalline diamond for high power lasers
  • Diamond heatspreaders
  • Diamond based Schottky diodes
  • MEMS and NEMS made out of nano-crystalline diamond
partner's webpage
 

© Bruker Corp.

Bruker Corporation

With nearly $2 billion in revenues and more than 6,000 employees worldwide, Bruker Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR) is a global manufacturer of high-end analytical instruments used within the academic & government, pharma/biotech, clinical diagnostic, and industrial markets. Some of Bruker’s products include:

  • magnetic technologies
  • spectroscopy and spectrometers
  • atomic force microscopy
  • diagnostic products
  • and X-ray technologie
partner's webpage
 

© elementsix

Element Six

The A De Beers Group company is a global leader in the design, development and production of manufactured synthetic diamond and other supermaterials such as cubic boron nitride (CBN) and tungsten carbide. Its single crystal and polycrystalline diamond products are suitable for a range of applications such as:

  • optics
  • power transmission
  • water treatment
  • semi-conductors and sensors
partner's webpage
 

© Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Israel’s premier university includes the Quantum Information Science Center (QISC), which supports basic quantum research, and provides a platform for communications and interactions with leading researchers, such as Dorit Aharonov, Ronnie Kosloff and Nir Keren. In addition, the university boasts a cutting-edge nanofabrication and nano-characterization facility, enabling state-of-the-art device fabrication with world-leading equipment.

partner's webpage
 

© Technical University of Munich (TUM)

Technical University of Munich

The TUM represents one of the top German universities and offers a unique interdisciplinary and excellent research platform. The Experts at TUM characterize and validate imaging biomarkers. Essential characteristics of this area are the:

  • development of physical methods
  • chemical characterization
  • synthesis of molecular sensors
  • investigation of research questions
partner's webpage
 

© Swiss Federal Institute of Technology

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology

The Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBT) and its CMR group have developed novel methods for MRI activities, Especially the application to the cardiovascular system in the experimental and clinical setting is an important goal.

  • flow quantification
  • perfusion imaging
  • cardiac spectroscopy
  • hyperpolarization technology
partner's webpage