Funding programme “Transfer-Booster for Quantum Technolo­gies Demonstrators”

Objec­tives and transfer: 

Progress in cancer research and drug discov­ery is limited by the lack of labora­tory tools that can reliably assess the metabolic behav­ior of complex cancer cell models. Metabolic changes are often the earli­est indica­tors of therapy response, yet current in vitro technolo­gies are either destruc­tive, provide only indirect readouts, or lack the sensi­tiv­ity to capture these dynamic processes in real time.

This project devel­ops a quantum-enabled demon­stra­tor that addresses this challenge. To this end, an analy­sis chip that enables the handling of liquid volumes in the micro- to picol­itre range in nuclear magnetic resonance analy­sis is to be combined with the hyper­po­lar­i­sa­tion process. Hyper­po­lar­iza­tion boosts the quantum signals of nuclear spins by more than 10,000-fold, enabling direct, non-invasive, real-time detec­tion of metabo­lites at physi­o­log­i­cally relevant concentrations.

The demon­stra­tor will provide researchers with a power­ful new tool for inves­ti­gat­ing cancer metab­o­lism, evalu­at­ing drug responses, and advanc­ing preci­sion oncol­ogy approaches. By enabling reliable exper­i­ments in human-derived tumor models, the technol­ogy also reduces reliance on animal testing. At the same time, it opens up a clear market oppor­tu­nity: the practice partner intends to market the demon­stra­tor as a supple­men­tary module to its hyper­po­lariser, thereby offer­ing pharma­ceu­ti­cal and biotech compa­nies a novel platform for drug devel­op­ment and trans­la­tional research.

Contact person: Dr. Sylwia Barker

Objec­tives and trans­fer:

Fraunhofer IPM is devel­op­ing a quantum-sensing-based demon­stra­tor to meter fluid veloc­i­ties in pipes without contact. The demon­stra­tor shows that the flow of liquids in pipes can be measured from the outside and without inter­ven­tion in the line – even through metal­lic pipe walls. For this purpose, the liquid is briefly magne­tized and “tagged” with a short radio frequency signal. This tag moves through the pipe follow­ing the flow veloc­ity profile. Highly sensi­tive quantum sensors detect the result­ing tiny changes in the magnetic field. From the time the tag needs to travel between two measur­ing points, the flow veloc­ity (“time of flight”) can be calcu­lated. Because the measure­ment uses low-frequency magnetic fields, it also works through steel and can in princi­ple be used for many media – from water to oils. The demon­stra­tor is attached to the outside of the pipe in a clamp-on fashion, which does not require any modifi­ca­tions to the pipe.

Beyond the measure­ment of flow veloc­ity, the method provides additional value: it responds to the flow profile in the pipe and can reveal differ­ences between laminar and turbu­lent flow. This helps during commis­sion­ing, balanc­ing, and diagnos­tics, for example to detect distur­bances at an early stage without opening a system.

The demon­stra­tor is tested under real-world condi­tions and evalu­ated using clear key figures, such as accuracy, measur­ing range, temper­a­ture window, and perfor­mance through metal. The poten­tial is consid­er­able: in electro­mo­bil­ity with oil-based cooling, in the process and chemi­cal indus­tries, or in test benches, it closes a gap where estab­lished methods reach their limits. Patented funda­men­tals and success­ful labora­tory exper­i­ments form the basis for this project.

Coordi­nat­ing partner: Fraunhofer Insti­tute for Physi­cal Measure­ment Techniques IPM

Contact person: Dr. Leonhard Braun 

Objec­tives and transfer:

Quantum sensors based on alkali vapor cells are consid­ered a key technol­ogy for high-precision appli­ca­tions in naviga­tion, metrol­ogy and indus­trial monitor­ing (includ­ing gyroscopes, magne­tome­ters, laser frequency stabi­liza­tion and atomic clocks). However, their widespread adoption has so far been limited by the lack of scalable manufac­tur­ing processes, reliable encap­su­la­tion and robust opto-electronic integra­tion suitable for series production.

The PALVIQ project addresses this gap with a fully laser-fabricated, photonic integrated monolithic vapor cell based on glass inter­poser technol­ogy and a consis­tent System-in-Package (SiP) approach. At its core is a contin­u­ous, wafer-level paral­lel process chain.

As a trans­fer­able outcome, PALVIQ will deliver a photonic integrated, minia­tur­ized spectroscopy cell for laser frequency stabi­liza­tion as a “Minimum Viable Demon­stra­tor”. This device imple­ments the essen­tial subsys­tems required for further appli­ca­tions regarded as key technolo­gies in quantum sensing and Position­ing, Naviga­tion and Timing (PNT), includ­ing gyroscopes, atomic clocks and magne­tome­ters and can there­fore be directly transi­tioned into subse­quent technol­ogy devel­op­ment stages.

PALVIQ estab­lishes a key enabling technol­ogy for indus­trial quantum sensing: standard­iz­able, scalable and compat­i­ble with exist­ing manufac­tur­ing lines.

Coordi­nat­ing partner: Insti­tut für Strahlw­erkzeuge (IFSW), Univer­sity of Stuttgart

Contact person: Yassin Nasr

Ziele und Transfer:

Im Rahmen des Projekts Q‑AccelGyro wird an der Integra­tion und Erprobung eines neuar­ti­gen Inertial­nav­i­ga­tion­ssen­sors, basierend auf einem minia­tur­isierten optomech­anis­chen Beschle­u­ni­gungssen­sors (OMAS) und einem einach­si­gen Quanten-Gyroskops (QYRO) auf einer Alta‑X Drohne gearbeitet. Das Ziel besteht darin, die bereits im Labor erfolg­reich getesteten Proto­typen von OMAS und QYRO inner­halb eines Zeitraums von zwölf Monaten so zu modifizieren, dass sie ausre­ichend robust für den Einsatz auf einer Drohnen­plat­tform sind und dort in Flugver­suchen unter realen Einsatzbe­din­gun­gen ihre Leistungs­fähigkeit nachweisen können.

Das Projekt stellt sich einem zentralen Zukun­ft­s­thema: der zuver­läs­si­gen Naviga­tion ohne Satel­litensignale. Konven­tionelle MEMS-Sensoren in Kombi­na­tion mit hoch perfor­man­ten Gyroskopen erweisen sich für diesen Zweck bei längeren Flugzeiten als zu ungenau. Darüber hinaus sind klassis­che High-End-Systeme, wie etwa faserop­tis­che Gyroskope, für den Einsatz in unbeman­nten Luftfahrzeu­gen aufgrund ihrer hohen Kosten und ihres hohen Gewichts wenig geeignet. Q‑AccelGyro schließt diese Lücke, indem es die Präzi­sion optomech­anis­cher Sensorik für Beschle­u­ni­gungsmes­sun­gen mit der Minia­tur­isierung eines Quantengy­roskops verbindet. Die Entwick­lung eines Demon­stra­tors, der die Fehler-Stabilität von Labor­pro­to­typen mit der Praxis­tauglichkeit für mobile Anwen­dun­gen vereint, wird angestrebt.

Neben der technis­chen Innova­tion ist das Projekt von hoher strate­gis­cher Bedeu­tung. Es eröffnet wirtschaftliche Chancen entlang der gesamten Wertschöp­fungs­kette – von photonis­chen Zulief­er­ern über System­inte­gra­toren bis hin zu Anwen­dern in den Bereichen Luftfahrt und Mobilität. Die Ergeb­nisse sind von Dual-Use-Relevanz, da sie sowohl in zivilen Bereichen wie der Logis­tik, der urbanen Luftmo­bil­ität und der kritis­chen Infra­struk­tur als auch in sicher­heit­srel­e­van­ten Anwen­dun­gen der Inertial­nav­i­ga­tion zur Absicherung gegen Ausfälle von Satel­liten­nav­i­ga­tion­ssys­te­men einge­setzt werden können.

Koordinieren­der Partner: DLR-Institut für Quantentechnologien

Ziele und Transfer:

NMR-Spektroskopie (Kernspin­res­o­nanz) liefert hochspez­i­fis­che Einblicke in Moleküle – ist bislang aber groß, teuer und häufig zu unempfind­lich für Anwen­dun­gen außer­halb spezial­isierter Labore. Unser Vorhaben überführt NMR in ein kompak­tes, empfind­liches Niederfeld-Format: Dazu kombinieren wir eine neuar­tige, totzeit­freie Detek­tion mit spannungs­ges­teuerten Oszil­la­toren (VCOs) und Parawasserstoff-induzierter Hyper­po­lar­i­sa­tion (PHIP). PHIP verstärkt das NMR-Signal um Größenord­nun­gen; der VCO-Detektor erfasst es unmit­tel­bar nach und sogar während der Anregung. Beides zusam­men ist entschei­dend, um auch kurzlebige Signale sicher zu messen. Damit werden quanten­mech­a­nisch erzeugte Spinpop­u­la­tio­nen (Hyper­po­lar­i­sa­tion) mit einem klassisch arbei­t­en­den, aber quantensen­si­tiven Detek­tor erfasst – eine Verknüp­fung zwischen Quanten- und klassis­cher Physik.

Ziel ist ein anwen­dungsna­her Demon­stra­tor mit einer Konzen­tra­tionsempfind­lichkeit im Zielbere­ich um 10 μM für relevante kleine Moleküle. Damit schaf­fen wir die Grund­lage für portable, kosten­ef­fiziente NMR-Sensoren, die perspek­tivisch in der Medizin (z. B. metabolis­ches Patien­ten­mon­i­tor­ing), der Umwelt­an­a­lytik (z. B. Spuren­stoffe) und der indus­triellen Prozessüberwachung einge­setzt werden können.

Das Konsor­tium vereint drei komple­men­täre Stärken aus Baden-Württemberg:

• Univer­sität Stuttgart (IIS): Design und Aufbau des VCO-Detektors, Elektronik, Magnet/Spulen, FPGA-Auslese; Integra­tion zum Gesamtdemonstrator.
• Univer­sität Ulm (ICQ): Quanten­mech­a­nis­che Model­lierung und Simula­tion der nicht­lin­earen Detek­tion­s­modi zur optimalen Senso­rans­teuerung und ‑ausle­sung.
• Praxis­part­ner: PHIP-Hyperpolarisation, Bereit­stel­lung von Proben/Workflows und anwen­dungsnahe Systemtests.

Inner­halb von zwölf Monaten wird der Demon­stra­tor entwick­elt, integri­ert und in einem realis­tis­chen Anwen­dungsszenario validiert. Auf Basis der Demon­stra­tion bereiten wir Anschlus­sak­tiv­itäten vor – von Minia­tur­isierung und Erhöhung der Skalier­barkeit über Pilotan­wen­dun­gen bis hin zu IP-basierter Verwertung.

Koordinieren­der Partner: Insti­tut für Intel­li­gente Sensorik (IIS), Univer­sität Stuttgart

Ziele und Transfer:

Das Vorhaben Quantis zielt auf die Entwick­lung und Demon­stra­tion innov­a­tiver zerstörungs­freier Prüfver­fahren (ZfP) auf Basis quantensen­sorischer Magnet­feldmes­sun­gen ab. Im Zentrum stehen hochsen­si­tive Quantensen­soren mit NV-Zentren in Diaman­ten, die magnetis­che Felder in bislang nicht erreichter Empfind­lichkeit nach Stärke und Richtung erfassen können. Damit eröffnet das Projekt neue Möglichkeiten zur Zustands­be­w­er­tung sicher­heit­srel­e­van­ter Materi­alien – kontak­t­los, ressourcenscho­nend und perspek­tivisch inline-fähig.

Der geplante Anwen­dungs­demon­stra­tor adressiert zwei praxis­nahe Use Cases aus dem Bauwe­sen und dem produzieren­den Gewerbe.

• Im Baukon­text wird die zerstörungs­freie Erfas­sung von Bewehrungslage und ‑zustand in tragen­den Stahlbe­ton­bauteilen unter­sucht. Ziel ist es, Korro­sion­ss­chä­den wie Brüche oder flächige Querschnittsver­luste zuver­läs­sig zu detek­tieren und damit die Wiederver­wen­dung von Bauteilen im Sinne der Kreis­laufwirtschaft zu unter­stützen. Dies leistet einen direk­ten Beitrag zu Ressourcenscho­nung, CO₂-Reduktion und Planungssicher­heit bei Genehmigungsprozessen.
• Im indus­triellen Umfeld liegt der Fokus auf der Inline-Früherkennung von Fehlstellen in schwach magnetis­chen Drähten für technis­che Federn. Durch den Einsatz quantensen­sorischer Magnet­feldmes­sun­gen sollen material- und prozess­be­d­ingte Defekte bereits zu Beginn der Ferti­gung identi­fiziert werden, um Ausschuss ganzer Chargen zu vermei­den und Qualität sowie Wirtschaftlichkeit nachhaltig zu verbessern.

Das inter­diszi­plinäre Konsor­tium gewährleis­tet eine enge Verzah­nung von Grund­la­genkom­pe­tenz, Anwen­dungser­fordernissen und technol­o­gis­cher Umset­zung. Insge­samt demon­stri­ert das Projekt das Poten­zial quantensen­sorischer Technolo­gien als Schlüs­sel­baustein für sichere, nachhaltige und wettbe­werb­s­fähige Produktions- und Bauprozesse.

Koordinieren­der Partner: Materi­al­prü­fungsanstalt (MPA), Univer­sität Stuttgart

Objec­tives and trans­fer:

QuID-Neuro closes a key gap in brain tumor surgery (glioma surgery): the lack of fast and reliable molec­u­lar guidance at the operat­ing table. The consor­tium from the Univer­sity of Stuttgart and the Univer­sity Medical Center Freiburg is trans­fer­ring a highly sensi­tive quantum sensor (NV-NMR) into the clini­cal context. The goal is the specific detec­tion of certain markers and lactates in micro­liter samples, with results within a surgery-compatible 30-minute window.

In a 12-month feasi­bil­ity study, the exist­ing NV-NMR setup is being optimized for clini­cal matri­ces: hyper­po­lar­iza­tion (DNP/PHIP), improved pulse sequences, and repet­i­tive readouts increase sensi­tiv­ity; microflu­idics and on-cartridge condi­tion­ing ensure selec­tiv­ity in complex cerebrospinal fluids (CSF). The results will be compared with current methods, e.g., LC-MS.

What is new is the first quanti­ta­tively validated use of NV-NMR on real clini­cal samples and the contin­u­ous bench-to-bedside chain in Baden-Württemberg. The project lays the techni­cal and clini­cal founda­tion for a compact point-of-care module and thus addresses “real-time” diagnos­tics. The expected benefits range from precise intra­op­er­a­tive strat­i­fi­ca­tion and improved resec­tion decisions to short­ened diagnos­tic pathways. With a clear exploita­tion plan (open access results after IP review, SOP sharing), QuID-Neuro strength­ens the Quantum^BW ecosys­tem and prepares the demon­stra­tor for the next phase.

Coordi­nat­ing partner: 3rd Insti­tute of Physics, Univer­sity of Stuttgart

Objec­tives and transfer:

The QuMagWe project is devel­op­ing a novel quantum‑sensor-based measure­ment technol­ogy for captur­ing complete magne­ti­za­tion curves (B‑H hystere­sis loops) in indus­tri­ally relevant materi­als, partic­u­larly electri­cal steels used in electric motors. At its core is a specially devel­oped NV sensor module that enables high‑resolution and highly sensi­tive measure­ments on micro‑tensile samples — both in the unloaded state and under defined mechan­i­cal stress. In addition, widefield and scanning‑probe magne­tom­e­try are used to option­ally obtain imaging magnetic field information.

The goal is the direct obser­va­tion of magnetic domain evolu­tion, pinning effects, and texture‑induced anisotropies that are influ­enced by manufac­tur­ing processes and mechan­i­cal loading. The technol­ogy enables nonde­struc­tive, microscale analy­sis of magnetic mater­ial proper­ties and opens new possi­bil­i­ties for quality control, process devel­op­ment, and predic­tive mainte­nance in electro­mo­bil­ity and mechan­i­cal engineering.

The project is jointly carried out by Fraunhofer IAF (sensor devel­op­ment, photon­ics, NV‑diamond optimiza­tion) and Fraunhofer IWM (materi­als testing, micro­me­chan­i­cal tests, appli­ca­tion trans­fer). It strength­ens the quantum ecosys­tem of Baden‑Württemberg through an industry‑driven light­house use case with direct links to key sectors, creat­ing poten­tial for spin‑offs, IP gener­a­tion, and sustain­able value creation along the entire process chain.

Coordi­nat­ing partner: Fraunhofer Insti­tute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF

Contact person: Dr. Philipp D’Astolfo

Contact

Objec­tive and trans­fer:

What if, weight scales were showing the true weight at any time without regular calibra­tion, adjust­ment? Quantum sensors offer the oppor­tu­nity to make this vision a reality, due to their inher­ent drift-free measure­ment princi­ple. This makes them capable to show the true measure­ment value at any time. This scenario is the approach of the Q.Weight project. The goal is to setup a quantum-based weight scale demon­stra­tor. The devel­op­ment of this sensor is part of Hahn-Schickard as a well-established research and devel­op­ment insti­tute in the area of micro assem­bly technol­ogy with many years of experi­ence in sensor devel­op­ment. There­fore, the π‑Mk1 platform, which was devel­oped at the insti­tute in the BMFTR-funded project QOOOL Sensing, is used as the start­ing point for the quantum sensor demon­stra­tor in this project. To grow from a cost-driven sensor to a high-performance sensor, the used diamond plays an impor­tant rule. For this reason, Fraunhofer IAF contributes application-specific diamonds to the project. Further compo­nents need to be enabled to reach high perfor­mance. All together, these compo­nents will be integrated into the π‑Mk1 platform and connected to appro­pri­ate measure­ment devices. The quantum sensor will be integrated into a weight scale and the proof of princi­ple will be demon­strated. Addition­ally, a more general quantum sensor demon­stra­tor kit for test measure­ments at inter­ested compa­nies will be setup, to allow a low-threshold access to quantum technologies.

Coordi­nat­ing partner: Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft für angewandte Forschung e.V.

Contact person: Dr. Daniela Walter

Objec­tives and trans­fer:

Within the SeQuen­Zell project, battery test cells are being devel­oped with an integrated quantum sensor based on near-surface nitrogen-vacancy centers embed­ded in a diamond membrane. The quantum sensor, includ­ing the required microwave struc­tures, is integrated into the optical access of the labora­tory test cell. The aim is to resolve local current density varia­tions that can be linked to battery degra­da­tion mecha­nisms. In addition, the project will also explore other measure­ment proto­cols that provide insights into, for example, the local distri­b­u­tion of ion concen­tra­tion and micro­scopic states of charge distri­b­u­tion within the battery. All of this is pursued with the goal of estab­lish­ing a comple­men­tary measure­ment method­ol­ogy to the already exist­ing optical and physi­cal measure­ment techniques, thereby enabling deeper insights into battery state and degra­da­tion mecha­nisms that have not been possi­ble until now.

Coordini­at­ing partner: DLR-Institute of Engineer­ing Thermodynamics

Contact person: Dr. Dennis Kopljar

Contact

Objec­tive and transfer:

Researchers aim to measur­ably improve the perfor­mance of fiber-based quantum commu­ni­ca­tion and accel­er­ate its trans­fer into indus­trial use. By employ­ing thin-film lithium niobate modula­tors, a signif­i­cant increase in modula­tion bandwidth, signal quality, and stabil­ity is expected to be achieved. In addition, barri­ers to the indus­trial adoption of quantum-secure commu­ni­ca­tion are intended to be reduced.

Coordi­nat­ing partner: Kirchhoff-Institut for Physics, Univer­sity of Heidelberg

Contact person: Prof. Dr. Wolfram Pernice