Quantum sensing is one of the most mature quantum technologies and offers great potential, especially in healthcare. Denmark has strong competences in this field, and it is therefore not surprising that two Danish universities are part of the new centre.
Applications for quantum sensors include the detection of early changes in the functioning of the nervous system, the heart, or the brain, thus helping to diagnose diseases at such an early stage that treatment is more likely to succeed.
"The new centre underscores the importance and world-leading role of the Copenhagen area when it comes to quantum technology research and development. I look forward to seeing what this unique international collaboration between researchers and experts at DTU, UCPH, and University of Texas at Austin will bring about. Their collaboration will undoubtedly have an impact on the development of new quantum sensor technologies for measuring biological systems at a level of precision never seen before—and with a strong ambition that the sensors will subsequently be implemented and used in the healthcare sector," says Provost Rasmus Larsen, DTU.
Microscopy with a twist
Professor Ulrik Lund Andersen heads DTU's participation in the centre. Using quantum-entangled light, DTU's researchers will focus, in particular, on adding a 'quantum twist' to existing advanced microscopic techniques, enabling them to measure the dynamics of biomolecules with high precision. The research group also aims to develop new quantum sensors based on colour centres in artificial diamonds.
"The diamond sensors will make it possible to measure the magnetic fields arising from biological processes with microscale to nanoscale spatial resolution. Quantum diamonds can measure cells, tissue, and other biological material without damaging it. This does away with the need to collect large amounts of sample material, as is the case with other measurement techniques. If we succeed, this will be a complete game changer for the world of healthcare," says Ulrik Lund Andersen.
