Archer Exploration Limited (ASX:AXE)has today announced that it has entered into exclusive negotiations with TheUniversity of Sydney for exclusive rights to develop and commercialiseintellectual property (IP) related to graphene-based quantum computingtechnology.
AXE is working with theUniversity's office of Commercial Development and Industry Partnerships (CDIP).
The patent rights are jointlyheld between the University of Sydney and E??colePolytechnique Fe??de??rale de Lausanne(EPFL) through a collaborative research project co-led by Dr Mohammad Choucairwhen he worked at the University. The University and EPFL finalised anagreement with which EPFL allows the University to take the commercialisationlead in processing to negotiate with Archer.
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The negotiations are part ofthe filing of an international patent application by CDIP under the PatentCooperation Treaty (PCT), as international trade accounts for 96% of revenue inthe global semiconductor and electronic parts manufacturing industry1.
The development of commercialquantum computing technology would transform computing across multiple sectors,including pharmaceuticals, energy, transport, finance and security.
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Commenting on the exclusiveagreement, AXE CEO Mohammad Choucair stated: "There is a need within thequantum computing market to develop componentry that can be integrated intoelectronic circuitry while remaining functional at room-temperature, allowingpractical non-disruptive solutions that could facilitate the wide-scalepoint-of-use by consumers.
"Our negotiations with CDIPwill allow Archer to leverage our strategic graphite and graphene resources,and our inventory of specialised materials assets held in our Carbon Allotropesbusiness, to find high value, materials-centric, end-to-end solutions to solveone of the most significant problems in our technological age.
"It is important to note thatAustralia has globally recognised expertise in quantum materials and is at theforefront of quantum technology. Archer is in a strong position to develop andcommercialise strategically relevant IP for long-term company success andbusiness development."
The IP relates to thedevelopment of a quantum electronic device (QED) for storing and processingquantum bits (qubits), the fundamental components of a quantum computer.
The QED comprises advancedcarbon material components critical for its function, including graphene, whichare available in the inventory of Archer's wholly owned subsidiary, CarbonAllotropes.
With respect to the filing ofthe international patent application, Dr Choucair said: "The first writtenopinion of the international searching authority found that all 16 claims inthe PCT were novel and inventive, and the invention can be made by, or used in,industry, respectively. This is the best possible result for the development atthis time, and it gives us the confidence to proceed with negotiations with areduced legal and technical risk at this stage of commercialisation."
Quantum computing devicesform a strongly growing part of the semiconductor and electronic partsmanufacturing industry worth an estimated $540 billion1.
Materials are at the heart ofsome of the biggest technical and operational challenges in a quantum computingmarket, predicted to grow exponentially as technological advancements shiftfrom theoretical foundations to prototype development.
This shift includes bothhardware (devices) and software, potentially affecting sectors dependent oncomputational power. Applications for quantum computing across various sectorsare emerging, and including artificial intelligence, molecular modelling, cryptography,and financial modelling, where parallel analyses of large data sets, complexcalculations, and end-to-end tamper proof signalling are needed.
Further, Dr Choucairconcluded: "We are looking forward to our involvement in the development and commercialisationof this potential breakthrough in quantum computing IP which reduces many ofthe technological barriers to realising practical quantum computing usingsolid-state materials. Given the established years of research and resultssupporting this IP, it has the potential, over a short time frame, to allowArcher to develop and commercialise a world first, practical quantum computingchip (device), with significantly reduced costs compared to currentapproaches."
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1IBISWorld Industry Report. May 2018. Global Semiconductor and Electronic Parts.