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“What we’ve been able to do is effectively create manipulated using light within the defects at
a critical ‘brick’ needed to construct a silicon- room temperature, something which has never
based quantum computer. It’s a crucial step to been done before.
making a technology that has the potential to AMRC TO RECEIVE
be transformative for humankind - feasible; a Carmen M. Gilardoni from the Cavendish
technology that could give us the capability to Laboratory at the University of Cambridge,
process data at such a scale that we will be able states: BRITAIN’S LARGEST
to provide solutions to complex issues such as
addressing the impact of climate change and ROBOT
“The results show that once we write a certain
tackling healthcare challenges”.
quantum state onto the spin of these electrons,
this information is stored for approximately one
PhD researcher Ravi Acharya, who led the millionth of a second, making this system a very
project, adds: promising platform for quantum applications.

“The great advantage of silicon quantum This may seem short, but the interesting thing
computing is that the same techniques that is that this system does not require special
are used to manufacture the electronic chips, conditions. It can store the spin quantum The University of Sheffield Advanced The robots will form part of Loop Technology’s
currently within an everyday computer that state even at room temperature and with no Manufacturing Research Centre has proprietary high-rate deposition cell known as
consists of billions of transistors, can be used requirement for large magnets”. announced that it is to receive three six-axis FibreLINE, a high-rate preform manufacturing
to create qubits for silicon-based quantum FANUC M-2000iA/1700L robots, currently the system at the centre of which is FibreFORM.
devices. The ability to create high-quality silicon largest industrial robot ever to be ordered in the FibreFORM can pick composite sheets known
Professor Richard Curry adds:
qubits has in part been limited to date by the UK, and the world’s strongest long-reach robot. as plies and form them into complex 3D double
purity of the silicon starting material used. The curvature profiles before placing them onto a
“This work represents another leading
breakthrough purity we show here solves this tool, inspecting them and heat staking them
breakthrough from a University of Manchester
problem”. ready for the next stage of the production
researcher in the area of materials for quantum
process at a rate of 200kg an hour, compared
technologies, further strengthening the
Reference: Tyler, N., New Electronics, 7th. May with 40kg an hour using conventional methods.
international impact of our work in this field”.
Quantum Breakthrough in 2D Materials With a 1.7 tonne payload capacity and 6.2 metre
Reference: New Electronics, Vol.57 Issue 6, June 2024, p.27
stroke, the FANUC M-2000iA/1700L provides
Also at the University of Manchester has maximum flexibility for operations involving large
been the discovery that a ‘simple atomic and heavy objects.
defect’ in a layered 2D material can hold onto
quantum information for microseconds at Alun Reece, Managing Director of Loop
room temperature, revealing the potential Technology, comments:
for 2D materials to revolutionise quantum
technologies. “While we could have used precision gantries
to deploy our end effectors, they limit access
The defect, discovered by researchers at the to the cell area due to requiring two rails on
universities of Manchester and Cambridge using which to carry the gantry bridge. In contrast, the
a thin material known as Hexagonal Boron Nitride M2000iA robots are mounted on a single axis rail,
(hBN), demonstrates spin coherence - a property providing clear access from one side.
The order forms part of Project Compass
whereby an electronic spin can retain quantum
(Composites at Speed and Scale), an £80
information - under ambient conditions. It Innovations in robotics around scale, precision
million investment which includes an aerospace
was also observed that these spins could be and collaborative working are opening up new
manufacturing R and D project delivered by a
controlled using light. opportunities for aerospace manufacturers
consortium of partners including Boeing, Loop
all the time. Whether in high-rate preforming
Technology and Spirit AeroSystems, as well as
Hexagonal Boron Nitride is an ultra-thin material systems, fibre placement or assembly
the AMRC.
made up of stacked one-atom-thick layers that operations such as drilling, fastening, sealing
are held together by forces between molecules, or automated inspection applications, the
The new innovation facility at the AMRC has
but sometimes there are tiny flaws between versatility offered by modern robotics is
been developed to help solve composites
these layers, so called ‘atomic defects’. These redefining the way tasks are performed, helping
manufacturing challenges in order to meet
defects can absorb and emit light that can be to drive down aerospace manufacturing costs
future demand for lighter commercial aircraft
seen and they can also act as local traps for while driving up quality”.
and help the aviation industry reach net zero. In
electrons, the behaviour of which can be studied,
particular, it aims to de-risk and develop high
especially in relation to the spin property, which Reference: ‘FANUC and Loop Technology sign Aerospace Deal for
rate sustainable structures, with the potential to
allows electrons to interact with magnetic largest Robots ever ordered in UK’, Industrial Director Manufacturing
reduce large component process times from
fields. The electron spins can be controlled and Production Solutions, April/May 2024, p.34-35
around 40 hours to just four hours.
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