This year represents 100 years since the first consistent formulation of quantum mechanics by Werner Heisenberg, together with Max Born and Pascual Jordan, in 1925. To mark this achievement and highlight the continued role of quantum mechanics in shaping our lives, the United Nations has designated 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. The Department of Physics was active in the ‘Quantum Week’ (03/11 – 07/11) organised by various UK institutions to mark the centenary and celebrate the ‘Year of Quantum’.
Jonathan Tinsley, Lecturer in Quantum Sensors & Technology, represented the department at the UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase (07/11/2025), organised by Innovate UK, where he presented work from across the department and highlighted the activities of our cross-cluster Quantum Science and Technologies Development (QTSD) group. There were over 110 exhibitors and 3,000 delegates in attendance – including civil servants, industry stakeholders, academics, and current and prospective students – making for a very busy yet rewarding day sharing our research. There was considerable interest in all our quantum activities with many delegates remarking how impressed they were by the breadth and quality of our work. Jonathan also presented wider work within the school and faculty at Liverpool in the quantum field, including from colleagues in Mathematical Sciences and Electrical Engineering and Electronics.
Also on the same day, Jonathan attended a round table discussion hosted by the British Embassy Seoul towards future opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration between the UK and the Republic of Korea in the field of quantum science and technologies. Delegates included governments officials and representatives from national metrology institutes of both countries, as well as academic and business partners.
The week had started with a two-day first meeting on Quantum Science and Technology: The first 100 years and our quantum future organised by the IOP at the Royal Institution. The second day of the meeting was opened by Prof. Tara Shears in her capacity as IOP VP for Science and Innovation and included speakers from industry, government and academia, discussing future directions in research, how to nurture skills for the quantum workforce and how organisations are getting themselves quantum ready.