From the world of research papers and cubicles, Kevin Roccapriore has made a leap into the entrepreneurial arena with Innovation Crossroads, a Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program node at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory that provides support for startups like Roccapriore's AtomQ .
As an ORNL staff scientist on entrepreneurial leave, he feels a more direct connection between his innovative research and its application in the real world. Fueled by a passion to bridge the gap, he embarked on a journey that combines the rigor of scientific inquiry with the excitement of entrepreneurship.
The Innovation Crossroads program proved crucial, providing financial stability, access to advanced laboratory facilities, and essential business mentorship, without which, Roccapriore acknowledges, his transition would have been more challenging.
"This program gave me access to the lab. The specialized equipment I depend on is not only rare but also costly," Roccapriore said. "Having lab access is essential, particularly since there are only a few of these specific machines in our area."
Roccapriore's journey into quantum science had a unique start, as he initially earned a degree in nutrition with aspirations for dental school. A pivot led Roccapriore to ultimately earn a doctorate in physics, where he discovered he had a knack for the tiny world of nanofabrication and nano-optics.
We have access to high-powered electron microscopes at ORNL, which actually give us the ability to manipulate atoms in a way that's controllable and scalable, going beyond the typical use of microscopes for inspection and analysis.
His startup, AtomQ, is revolutionizing atomic manipulation in solid materials, a field with profound implications for semiconductors, quantum computing and materials engineering. In the realm of quantum computing, atomic manipulation is essential for creating and controlling qubits. Qubits, or quantum bits, are the fundamental units of quantum information in quantum computing. Qubits can exist in a state of superposition, meaning they can represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously.
Quantum computing companies are struggling to build scalable systems because most systems can only achieve a few hundred to a thousand qubits, while millions or billions will be needed for practical applications.
"This is where AtomQ comes in," Roccapriore said. "We have access to high-powered electron microscopes at ORNL, which actually give us the ability to manipulate atoms in a way that's controllable and scalable, going beyond the typical use of microscopes for inspection and analysis."
While on staff at ORNL, Roccapriore sharpened his skills in the art of taming materials at the nanoscale and plunged into the world of high-powered electron microscopes. For example, some of his research using the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences at ORNL, a DOE Office of Science user facility, involved developing advanced electron microscopy techniques, which have the potential to expand our understanding of the classic and quantum materials. "The ability to observe and analyze materials at the atomic scale in real time shows potential for pushing the boundaries in classical as well as quantum computing, electronics and beyond, and ultimately enabling the development of transformative technologies," said Roccapriore.
The Innovation Crossroads program has been instrumental in Roccapriore's development as an entrepreneur, extending beyond financial and infrastructural support. The program also facilitated a crucial shift in his mindset, moving him from a research-focused perspective to an entrepreneurial one.
"One of the scary things for me about entrepreneurship was the thought of leaving my stable job to do this cool thing. I wasn't sure how. I found out about the Innovation Crossroads program, and the program allowed me to just go for it."
Roccapriore's time with Innovation Crossroads began with The Spark Cleantech Accelerator, a 12-week program for entrepreneur-fellows in Innovation Crossroads, offered by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, through the Spark Innovation Center, to support early stage cleantech businesses.
Recognizing his lack of formal business training, he leveraged the program's offerings to develop essential skills in market strategy, pitching and company positioning. This support has enabled him to refine his messaging and effectively communicate the value proposition of AtomQ's technology.
"The mentoring and networking during the program put me into the right frame of mind," Roccapriore said. "I am becoming a better presenter, because I think a little more about who my target audience or customer is, and how do I explain the 'why.'"
While his wife, a professor of entrepreneurship, provided additional guidance, Roccapriore said the program's resources played a crucial role in his journey.
Looking ahead, Roccapriore's goals for AtomQ are ambitious. He aims to transform the technology from a research concept into a commercially viable product, ready for widespread adoption within the quantum computing, sensing and communications industries.
A key objective is establishing strategic partnerships with investors and industry leaders to broaden AtomQ's impact and secure the necessary funding for continued growth and expansion beyond its initial stages. Ultimately, Roccapriore envisions AtomQ driving innovation and advancements in nanotechnology and quantum materials.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the Department of Energy's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science. - Olivia Moore
