Australian quantum firms team for graphene

This article was published by InnovationAus.com. View the original release.

Australian chip developer Archer has inked a translation deal with research and development startup Emergence Quantum to work on graphene materials and devices.

A new two phase commercialisation program with undisclosed financial terms will guide Archer’s R&D and porotype demonstration. It will focus on new graphene and carbon-based materials and devices, Archer said in a market update on Friday.

A former minerals explorer turned ASX-listed materials tech company, Archer is developing carbon-based materials and quantum computing chips it claims are more scalable, cheaper and operable at higher temperatures than competitors.

“Graphene and carbon-based materials offer a powerful platform for enabling quantum devices that are both scalable and commercially relevant,” Archer chief executive Dr Simon Ruffell said.

“By combining Archer’s unique expertise in quantum carbon films, including graphene, with Emergence Quantum’s world-class capability and leveraging their experience we’re setting the stage for rapid advancement in quantum materials and devices.”

The deal is another endorsement for Emergence Quantum, which was founded in May by the renowned Australian physicists that paved the way for Microsoft’s quantum technologies after the tech giant exited local quantum research efforts.

EQ also has development agreements with global quantum giant IonQ and promising UNSW spinout Diraq, helping the firms in their race to build the first useful quantum computer.

“We’re excited to work with Archer on this ambitious program,” EQ chief technology officer Dr Thomas Ohki said.

“Our work with large multinational quantum companies has shown how strategic partnerships can accelerate quantum technology development. We see significant opportunity to bring that same momentum to Archer’s graphene-based innovation.”

The first phase of the new program will map graphene’s potential in quantum and non-quantum domains, define technical directions and prepare for funding and more development. The second phase will focus on experimental validation and aim to deliver protype demonstrations, Archer told the market on Friday.