Innovative technologies developed by researchers at the University of Southampton will be unveiled in an online edition of the world’s largest and most influential technology show, CES 2021.

Aquark Technologies, founded by quantum physicist Dr Andrei Dragomir, has developed a miniaturised cold atom system that will help enable the next generation of revolutionary technologies.

The business is one of eight startups exhibiting at CES 2021 through Future Worlds, the on-campus startup accelerator at the University of Southampton.

Aquark Technologies builds upon cutting-edge research in the School of Physics and Astronomy's Quantum, Light and Matter Group.

Unlike modern electronics, which rely on the manipulation of electrons, quantum devices tap into the potential of new physics exploring tiny energy levels of atoms and sub-atomic particles. Aquark Technologies' innovation vastly reduces the size of a core component of quantum technology, turning these incredible but complex devices into simple to use, plug-and-play systems.

"The emerging generation of quantum devices will revolutionise countless industries," Andrei says. "Aquark Technologies’ miniaturised cold atom system can accomplish all the tasks of the conventional system for a fraction of the weight, size and power requirements."

CES usually takes place in Las Vegas and attracts over 170,000 visitors who flock to see the newest technology being showcased by the 4,000+ tech firms in attendance. 2021 sees the event go all-digital, taking the global reach of CES wider than ever before.

Future Worlds is returning to CES for a sixth consecutive year as the UK’s only exhibiting university.

Current University of Southampton startups being exhibited at CES 2021 also include Absolar, an AI-powered software that simulates solar radiation to inform renewable energy decisions, ArchAI, a deep learning tool for construction planners to automate archaeology assessments, Inpulse, smart clothing to correct muscle imbalances and improve sports performance, and Sentient Sports, an AI platform that assists football managers by predicting how players will perform.

Ben Clark, Future Worlds Director, says: "We are very excited as Southampton steps up as the only university representing the UK at CES for a sixth consecutive year. The startups we have selected to exhibit are inspirational future leaders in their field, destined to make a huge change in the world of AI and quantum.

"More startups than ever before are exhibiting with Future Worlds at this year’s CES, reflecting the immeasurable vision, talent and determination to push through the pandemic to help create a more sustainable, connected and healthy world to come."

Physicists from the University of Southampton are contributing to a novel geomagnetic monitoring satellite that will help maintain modern navigation systems including smartphones.

The collaboration with Iota Technology is developing payload technology that aims to go into service in 2024, prior to the decommissioning of existing satellites in the European Space Agency's SWARM constellation.

The new miniaturised magnetometer will allow nanosatellites to gather high-quality geomagnetic data that, until now, has only been possible with much larger spacecraft.

This vital dataset is an essential part of all modern navigation systems, providing accurate heading data to smartphones, cars, ships, aircraft and small satellites.

Professor Hendrik Ulbricht, Deputy Head and Director of Research for Physics and Astronomy, says: "Our research group is experienced in working with magnetic sensors and this is a great opportunity to work in the space development environment with a real end goal."

Iota Technology's SIGMA product is the first-ever nanosatellite capable of providing geomagnetic data for the World Magnetic Model. The University of Southampton will provide skills and expertise in magnetic field sensing and testing, as well as Printed Circuit Board (PCB) rapid prototyping operated by electronics engineer Gareth Savage.

The collaboration is funded through the national SPRINT (SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology) business support programme.

Hugo Shelley, Director of Iota Technology said: "One of the main challenges in developing the next generation of geomagnetic monitoring satellites is miniaturisation. The magnetometry expertise at the University of Southampton will play a vital part in allowing us to make our technology smaller, without sacrificing the quality of the data that we can capture.

"With the European Space Agency SWARM satellites due to be decommissioned, we only have a short window of time to develop a sustainable service mission capable of recovering this key data. The SPRINT project will accelerate the development of our technology and enable us to build a demonstration model for launch in 2022."

Last month, the SIGMA project was announced as a $350,000 winner of the international National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) MagQuest competition, a global open innovation challenge accelerating novel data collection methodologies. The technology will continue development in the European Space Agency (ESA) Business Incubation Centre in Harwell over the next 12 months.

The Quantum Light and Matter (QLM) group encompasses several research topics at the University of Southampton, sharing a common interest in the study of the nanoscale properties of matter (atoms to solids) and their interactions with light.

The group's work aims to advance the fundamental understanding of quantum physics, whilst exploring a broad range of applications in nanoscience and quantum technology. Professor Otto Muskens was appointed Head of Group in August.

"In the QLM group you can find a number of research themes, most of which are rooted in the desire to develop fundamental physical understanding but often lead to significant practical applications," Otto says.

"In recent years the group has seen a rapid growth in novel quantum technologies research primarily involving photons and polaritons, mixed states of light and matter, as carriers of quantum information. Several of our groups are developing and studying advanced materials in contexts such as new nanoelectronic devices, biomedical and energy applications."

Members of the QLM group extend the limits of spectroscopy including terahertz, ultrafast and x-ray imaging. Dr Marcus Newton recently secured a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship in coherent x-ray imaging that highlights the team's strong involvement in the Diamond Light Source synchrotron facility.

The group holds a wide portfolio of funded projects including an EPSRC Programme Grant on Hybrid Polaritonics led by Professor Pavlos Lagoudakis, and many QLM academics are contributing in multi-disciplinary activities such as the ADEPT Advanced Devices by Electroplating and the Metadevices & Metasystems Programme Grants.

"Several groups in QLM are heavily involved in Quantum Technology Hubs, and we are right now seeing new start-up companies emerging from this research," Otto says.

QLM is based in Building 46 on Highfield Campus, with the group currently consisting of 16 academics, 17 researchers and 26 postgraduate students. Several staff have joined the team in recent years, including Dr Patrick Ledingham, who arrived in July, and Professor Ivette Fuentes-Guridi, who started in September.

"Over the years QLM has built very strong links with other parts of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the wider University, driven by joint scientific interests in multi-disciplinary research," Otto says. "For example, the work by Professor Antonios Kanaras on nanomaterials for biomedicine involves many colleagues in the Institute for Life Sciences and General Hospital. The Southampton cleanrooms are a centre point of activity and we see a lot of collaboration between researchers of QLM, the Optoelectronics Research Centre and the Electronics and Computer Science Sustainable Electronic Technologies group.

"The free flow of ideas between these departments is extremely fruitful and our scientific approaches are complementary in many ways which is perhaps why Southampton is so successful in this area of research. The interface between fundamental scientific ideas and state-of-the-art nanofabrication facilities proves an extremely stimulating environment for new and exciting research."