With more than 1500 researchers, TECNALIA is the largest private centre for applied research and technological development in Spain. Aware of the great potential for transformation of quantum technologies, TECNALIA is working on the maturation of these technologies to make them accessible to the business fabric in a fast and efficient way, minimising risks.
TECNALIA was created in 2011 as a result of the merger of 8 sectoral technology centres in the Basque Country, the oldest of which was created in 1955, giving rise to a single multi-sectoral applied research centre. In 2018 it constituted the Basque Research & Technology Alliance, made up of four collaborative research centres (CIC) and 12 Technology Centres.
At TECNALIA we transform technological research into prosperity, acting as agents of transformation for companies and society to adapt to the challenges of a continuously evolving future. To do so, we provide technological solutions that generate high-impact opportunities, committing ourselves to our clients’ results. We want to be the technology partner of all companies to generate high-impact opportunities through technology. We try to master all the technologies that we think will have an impact on our clients’ businesses. To achieve the greatest impact on the market, we have a multidisciplinary team to anticipate current and future needs through technological hybridisation.
Of all these technologies we are currently working on, quantum is possibly the one with the most radical and profound potential impact on areas of our society related to health, environment, energy, transport, security or industry.
At TECNALIA we work in the three large families of quantum technologies: Computing and simulation, secure communications and cybersecurity and, finally, sensorics and metrology.
In computing, we work with our customers on the hybridisation of quantum and classical systems for applications in optimisation, classification, machine learning (ML) and simulation of cross-cutting applications, using various quantum platforms available in the cloud.
In communications, we are working on adapting cybersecurity to the quantum paradigm and securitising industrial communications with Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), as well as on the necessary post-quantum migration.
In sensorics, we work on ultra-precision detection systems for identification, magnetic measurement, image analysis, metrology and positioning applications, with a very specific and transversal technology which is that of nitrogen-vacancy centres.
It is widely accepted that the mastery of deep-tech technologies will determine the future prosperity of countries and regions around the world. As a fundamental way to generate prosperity in relation to quantum, it is necessary to become relevant players in the technology, rather than simply adopting the advances of others.
At TECNALIA we have decided to take this step towards deep-tech in the field of sensor technology. We are developing the necessary technology to create end-to-end quantum sensing solutions, from the manufacture of basic materials (synthetic diamonds) to the integration of devices. To this end, we have created a pioneering laboratory, which supports the development of quantum components (quantum hardware) for sensorics based on nitrogen-vacancy centre technology. It is focused on high-performance, high-precision sensorics for physical and chemical property detection, identification and traceability, secure industrial communication, metrology and inertial positioning, which means it has a broad spectrum of cross-cutting applications.
Our main markets are Bio/Health (microscopy sensors, desktop MRI, compact magnetometers, LabOnAChip, flow analysis systems, brain interfaces, etc.) and Mobility (gyroscopes, magnetic navigation, accelerometers, etc.).
