University · Edinburgh
Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh leads the Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub, a £21.9m EPSRC grant running from December 2024 to November 2029 under director Gerald Buller, which develops quantum networks from local fibre links to satellites. The hub's SPOQC mission, a 12U CubeSat carrying a single-photon source and a continuous-variable source, launched on 30 March 2026 to exchange keys with an optical ground station on the Edinburgh campus. Heriot-Watt is also a partner in three other national hubs: Q-BIOMED, QuSIT and QEPNT.
Heriot-Watt University, in Edinburgh, appears in 10 UK quantum projects listed here. In this directory it leads SPOQC and IQN and is a partner in 8 more. People profiled here include Alessandro Fedrizzi (Assistant Director) and Gerald Buller (Director).
Sources: EP/Z533208/1 Integrated Quantum Networks Hub | UKRI Gateway to Research · Heriot-Watt University to lead UK's quantum internet research | Heriot-Watt University · IQN Hub leadership team · Space mission launch advances UK standing in quantum communications | Heriot-Watt University · Five hubs launched to ensure UK benefits from quantum future | University of Cambridge
SPOQC
A UK CubeSat mission to test quantum key distribution between a satellite and a ground station in Edinburgh.
Role: Lead
Themes: Communications, Networks
IQN
A national research hub building quantum networks, from local links to satellite connections. Heriot-Watt University leads it.
Role: Lead
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Networks, Communications
QEPNT
A national research hub for quantum position, navigation and timing, led by the University of Glasgow. It aims to reduce reliance on satellite signals such as GPS.
Role: Partner
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Timing and navigation, Sensing, Defence and security
Q-BIOMED
A national research hub that develops quantum sensors for earlier diagnosis of disease. UCL and the University of Cambridge lead it.
Role: Partner
Funding: £24m
Themes: Sensing, Biomedical and health, Imaging
QuSIT
A national research hub for quantum sensing, imaging and timing, led by the University of Birmingham.
Role: Partner
Funding: £22m
Themes: Sensing, Imaging, Timing and navigation
A BT-led consortium testing free-space quantum key distribution for short and mid-range links, including 5G and connected vehicles.
Role: Partner
Themes: Communications, Networks
An Arqit-led consortium working on UK manufacture of quantum key distribution payloads for satellites.
Role: Partner
Themes: Communications, Networks
The phase 2 national hub for quantum communications, led by the University of York. The hub's work ran from 2019 to 2024.
Role: Partner
Funding: £23.5m
Themes: Communications, Networks
QuantIC
The phase 2 national hub for quantum imaging, led by the University of Glasgow. Its grant ran from December 2019 to May 2025.
Role: Partner
Funding: £25m
Themes: Imaging, Sensing
AQuaSeC
A Toshiba-led consortium that built prototype quantum-safe communication systems. It combined quantum key distribution with quantum-resistant algorithms.
Role: Partner
Themes: Communications, Networks
Recent articles from Quantum Zeitgeist that mention Heriot-Watt University.
Beyond what current two-dimensional Hubbard models can achieve, new computational techniques suggest a pathway towards simulating high temperature superconductivity. Combining matrix product state plus mean field theory with mixed dimensional systems offers an avenue for exploring pairing energies w
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Until now, defining thermodynamic balance within complex quantum processes has been akin to navigating a maze with shifting walls. This work demonstrates that rigorously enforcing complete equilibrium uniquely determines which transformations are physically plausible, specifically, those obeying a c
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
A decoy-state quantum key distribution scheme was implemented using a telecom C-band single-emitter source, enabling positive secret key rates over 227 km of optical fiber. This demonstrates a loss tolerance one order of magnitude greater than non-decoy schemes, broadening the scope of single-photon
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
CSIRO researchers have created Quantum Light Sources for a project addressing secure timing in situations where GPS-GNSS signals are disrupted. These quantum-enabled devices generate entangled photons to detect tampering with timing signals, enhancing resilience in critical systems like defense, fin
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
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