3 minute read
As part of a £12 million joint investment from the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Government of Japan, the programme will advance next generation quantum technologies aimed at making life healthier, safer and more connected.
NPL is leading one of three funded projects, headed by Dr Masaya Kataoka, Principal Scientist and Science Area Leader for the Quantum Electrical and Material Metrology Group at NPL, in partnership with Professor Tetsuo Kodera of the Institute of Science Tokyo. Together, the teams will develop scalable semiconductor quantum dot devices, a key building block for future quantum computers and ultrasensitive quantum sensors.
By combining NPL’s world‑class expertise in precision measurement with other partners’ wide range of expertise in areas such as nanodevice fabrication, cryogenic experiments and spin qubits, the collaboration will push forward the capabilities of quantum technologies and help nurture the next generation of quantum researchers.
Quantum technologies span hardware, software and applications, and no single nation can address all challenges alone. Through the efforts of Japan’s Quantum Technology Innovation Strategy and the UK’s National Quantum Strategy and National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP), both countries are strengthening cooperation to:
NPL is proud to work alongside leading global institutions to advance quantum innovation and help shape international standards for the technologies of the future.
Dr Masaya Kataoka, Principal Scientist and Science Area Leader for Quantum Electrical and Material Metrology Group at NPL, said: Working with 11 partners in the UK and Japan, we aim to build an active international network through the exchange of many early-career researchers. This five-year project is a tremendous opportunity for us to work with world-leading experts in semiconductor quantum device technologies. It will enable us to bring our single-electron device technology closer to practical applications in metrology and quantum computing.
Find out more about Masaya Kataoka
17 Feb 2026