A research team led by ECE professors Amr Helmy and Ravi Adve will further their work in advancing quantum sensor technology, thanks to a funding boost from the federal government.

According to an article at UofT Engineering, the research team — which also includes professors from the University of Alberta, Carleton University, McMaster University, and the University of Waterloo — was awarded funding for four years from Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND) to focus on developing quantum sensors that can more accurately determine geolocation compared to current sensors. Their work could improve situational awareness for times when the Global Positioning System (GPS) is unavailable, spotty or not to be trusted.

Professor Helmy sees the project as belonging to a ground swell of quantum applications currently being explored by engineers. The article goes on to say that many at UofT Engineering are excited by the potential applications this work could uncover, which include everything from medical imaging devices for opthamologists to stress testing technologies for airplanes.