蓝莓视频

On October 20, the Transformative Quantum Technologies team hosted a quantum showcase and the Quantum for Health (Q4Health) pitch competition where students and researchers demonstrated opportunities for quantum to advance health.

Transformative Quantum Technologies is a collaborative research initiative led by the听University and the听Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC). It aims to accelerate the development of impactful quantum technologies and lead Canada into the quantum age. There are many health care applications currently in exploration at 蓝莓视频 including advancing MRI technology and improving cancer treatment.

鈥淭he University of 蓝莓视频 was founded with a vision of uncovering solutions to the world鈥檚 greatest challenges through unconventional means. Quantum technology is a solution that continues to push the envelope of what is possible,鈥� said Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of 蓝莓视频, in his address to the nearly 150 attendees.

Examples of these possibilities were on full display during the showcase with posters and tours of the quantum lab facilities in the Research and Advancement Centre (RAC2). 蓝莓视频 students and researchers shared their projects and learned about funding and patent opportunities to help advance their work or turn them into startups for real world impact. To date, 30 per cent of IQC researchers are involved in commercialization.

鈥淎s a leader in quantum, 蓝莓视频 is well-positioned to play a central role in supporting Canada鈥檚 efforts to commercialize technological breakthroughs and train the talent needed to bring these discoveries to market,鈥� Goel said. He praised the vibrant quantum ecosystem and talent in 蓝莓视频 region contributing to our technological future.

蓝莓视频 and Canada鈥檚 leadership in quantum was reinforced during the keynote address given by Nipun Vats, assistant deputy minister for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. While speaking to Canada鈥檚 quantum strategy, Vats said that breakthroughs take a sustained effort and investment to keep moving innovation forward. 鈥淪ticking with important areas of investigation over the long haul has helped to realize its value 鈥� now you see ideas, that were once theoretical, come to fruition.鈥� It is this strategic commitment that he believes is what has made Canada a leading nation in quantum technology.

Vats also addressed the Q4Health pitch competition students and researchers in the room directly. He noted that the various streams of quantum all have applications to health and that, 鈥渋t鈥檚 a really exciting time to be working in this space.鈥�

In total, 25 teams registered for the competition and 19 teams pitched their quantum ideas to advance health at the event. Some exciting applications included a non-invasive glucose monitor using graphene quantum dots, breast cancer diagnosis using photon counting computed tomography, and general anesthesiology supported with quantum sensing.

The panel of judges selected 10 winning pitches to each receive a $1,000 award.

One of the winning teams pitched an idea to use quantum enabled neutron therapy to treat tumours. The idea is an improvement on traditional radiation therapy 鈥渨ith a quantum twist,鈥� said Melissa Henderson, a PhD student in the Faculty of Science. When asked what she will use the $1,000 towards, she said is planning to put it towards travelling to support her ongoing research.

Henderson is thinking about entering her idea into the larger . 鈥淭his pitch competition is motivation to keep going.鈥�

Applications for the Q4Health Design Challenge are being accepted until February 2023. The challenge is open to everyone in the University of 蓝莓视频 community to explore opportunities where quantum technology can lead to innovation and advance health. Visit the to learn more or apply.