Aquark Makes History: Boaty McBoatface’s Cold Atom Quantum Sensor Is Successfully Tested Underwater
Aquark Technologies
The Southampton-based UK startup Aquark Technologies has achieved a major milestone in the field of quantum technologies. The business has effectively conducted the first cold atom quantum sensor test conducted underwater in history. The National Oceanography Centre’s (NOC) renowned autonomous submersible, Boaty McBoatface, was used in this ground-breaking experiment. The test, conducted at NOC’s indoor tank facility, was a significant step towards the practical application of quantum sensing technologies outside of controlled laboratory conditions, the firm said in a statement.
A controlled aquatic habitat that replicated dynamic real-world circumstances observed beneath the ocean surface was used to test Aquark’s AQuest system. Collecting performance data under various pressure and temperature conditions was the main goal. The performance and stability of the cold atom trap inside the sensor were the main goals of this data gathering. It is anticipated that the trial’s results will aid in improving the technology and get it ready for use in demanding settings like the deep sea or other rough terrain where precise sensing is required. According to Aquark, the cold atom trap operated constantly during the test, gathering “a boatload of data” in spite of these difficult circumstances.
A miniature cold atom trap is the main component of Aquark’s invention. Using lasers, this method cools atoms to temperatures close to absolute zero. By using this method, the atoms can be employed in incredibly sensitive sensors that can measure motion, time, and magnetic fields more precisely than can be achieved with conventional tools. The Super Molasses Trap (SMT), a special trap made by Aquark, was used in the underwater test.
Because trapping cold atoms in the unsteady and loud environment of an underwater vehicle presented a significant engineering challenge, the successful test is especially noteworthy. Such cold atom trap experiments were previously limited to meticulously regulated lab environments. The accomplishment aboard Boaty McBoatface provides compelling proof of Aquark’s design’s resilience. Compact and power-efficient, the technology can be deployed in remote or mobile systems, according to the business. This was the first time a cold atom trap was tested underwater, according to Villius Atkočius, Quantum Systems Engineer at Aquark Technologies. The “underwater world is less understood than space,” he said, highlighting the enormous possibilities.
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Aquark’s technology has a broad range of possible uses and may have important strategic ramifications. One important use is making it possible to navigate underwater in places without GPS signals, which might be quite beneficial, especially for underwater combat. Additionally, the sensors might be used to determine the density of minerals beneath the sea floor using high-sensitivity magnetic field readings or gravity measurements, giving scientists new opportunities to “see things that were previously hidden.”
“Seeing their platform work alongside NOC’s Autosub – known as Boaty McBoatface – was a real win for both science and fun,” said Andrei Dragomir, Co-Founder & CEO of Aquark technology, adding that the success has “opened new doors for research enabled by quantum technologies.” The technology might even “uncover some hidden treasures!” he conjectured. Villius Atkočius asserts that for long-duration activities under water or close to the polar regions, gravity sensing platforms such as Aquark’s SMT provide more dependability than conventional magnetic field sensing.
Additionally, the technology might open up new avenues for medical diagnosis. NATO’s DIANA Accelerator Program, which aims to accelerate defence and dual-use deep tech firms within the alliance, has provided assistance for the initiative. Quantum sensing could make a “substantial contribution” to seabed imaging and underwater navigation, according to Dr. Alex Phillips, Head of Marine Autonomous and Robotics Systems at NOC. These preliminary tests indicate that quantum technologies are now on the verge of leaving the lab and entering underwater vehicles like Autosub Long Range.
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This experiment is a big step towards making quantum sensing ready for the real world. Aquark is currently preparing to move forward with commercial deployment after securing early finance and establishing a minimum viable product. According to the company, its goal is to create the most energy-efficient and compact cold atom core on the market, one that can function well outside of conventional laboratory conditions in the field.
