A quantum device can be defined as a device whose functionality or principle of operation depends essentially on quantum mechanical effects and are inescapable nowadays, primarily to satiate the ever-increasing appetite for slimmer gadgets. As such, the ever-increasing improvement of nanofabrication processes has led to promising demonstration of high quality solid-state quantum devices functioning at sub-Kelvin temperatures. In particular, efforts are currently focused towards the development of silicon-based quantum systems that could be operated above 1 K.

The main exhibition room at the Natural History Museum in London is filled with specimens collected by explorers, teaching us about the evolution of life on our planet. In the bowels of the museum—empty due to Covid-19—scientists are working to protect the planet for the future, as well as preserving its past. The two white cryogenic tanks in the museum’s basement can store genetic data from all 70,000 known species of animal, plant, fungi and protozoa found in the UK. If the Darwin Tree of Life project is a success, Britain will be the first country to record the genome of every one of its species.

Graphene has long been pursued as a medium for electronics in the world of academia. However, until recently, it has struggled to make its way into the industry. Paragraf, a UK-based company, is the first and only company to achieve this feat to date. Two months ago, All About Circuits (AAC) had the privilege of talking with Dr. Ellie Galanis from Paragraf about releasing its first commercially available graphene hall effect sensor (HES). Now, AAC got to speak with Dr. Galanis again, this time to tell us about how their HES is making waves in the world of cryogenic electronics.

On May 13, Equal1 Laboratories (Equal1), a silicon-based quantum computing company, announced the company is the first to demonstrate a fully integrated quantum processor unit (QPU) operating at 3.7 kelvin―a major milestone with implications for the trajectory of quantum computing.

On May 20, Chart Industries, Inc. (CSA CSM), a leading global manufacturer of liquefaction and cryogenic equipment serving multiple applications in the energy and industrial gas end markets, including hydrogen, announced the completion of a minority investment in Cryomotive GmbH (“Cryomotive”) for the amount of Euro 6.5 million and offers an in-kind contribution to develop Cryomotive’s cryogenic storage and refueling technology.

On April 15, Catalent, a leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development, manufacturing and clinical supply solutions for drugs, biologics, cell and gene therapies, and consumer health products, announced that it has made an investment to expand cryogenic capabilities at its clinical supply services facility in Philadelphia to support sponsors’ developing cell and gene therapies.

A new robotics project announced at the Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (CSA CSM) on May 20, Argonaut’s mission will be to monitor conditions within ultracold particle detectors by voyaging into a sea of liquid argon kept at -193 degrees Celsius—as cold as some of the moons of Saturn and Jupiter. The project, funded in March, aims to create one of the most cold-tolerant robots ever made, with potential applications not only in particle physics but also deep space exploration.

This is Part 2 of a two-part article about cryogenic semiconductor electronics. Part 1 appeared in the preceding Cold Facts (Vol 37, No 1); it gave a brief introduction and presented applications of cryogenic electronics for sensors and spacecraft, microwave receivers, and power conversion. This part presents additional application examples, difficulties, and some closing comments.

CSA celebrates women in cryogenics and superconductivity. In this feature, seven women in positions across the industry discuss current projects, how they entered the field and their thoughts on attracting more women to the profession.

On March 15, Dublin-based Linde Cryogenics (CSA CSM) and Finnish company Bluefors (CSA CSM) announced a joint operation to create cooling solutions for large-scale quantum computers. Linde is contributing its vast experience as a world leader in large cryogenic installations while Bluefors brings to the table its ultra low temperature interface needed for quantum computing tp support this emerging industry by ensuring cryogenics are ready for the next steps in large-scale quantum computing, in terms of cooling power, efficiency and robustness.

On April 14, Nikkiso Cryo Inc., Las Vegas NV, (CSA CSM) a leading supplier of cryogenic submerged electric motor pumps used in the liquefied gas industry and a member of Nikkiso Clean Energy and Industrial Gases Group, announced a new facility which increases their cryogenic pump production efficiency and capability. The Group also announced the appointment of Tim Born as the vice president of Oceania and South East Asia Region.