Goodfellow, a supplier of metals and materials, has acquired microfabrication company Potomac Photonics. According to Goodfellow, the acquisition strengthens its presence in the medical device sector and microfluidics, and provides an immediate manufacturing footprint in the U.S. Potomac Photonics, based in Baltimore, is capable of micromachining materials including polymers, metals, ceramics, and glass with micron-scale features. Goodfellow CEO Simon Kenney (left) and CFO Andrew Watson. Courtesy of Goodfellow. BOULDER, Colo. — The University of Colorado Boulder (UC Boulder) has received a $20 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation to launch the National Quantum Nanofab, a facility for researchers and quantum specialists to design and fabricate quantum devices. The facility will take an estimated five years to be completed and will be supported by and connected to the existing Colorado Shared Instrumentation in Nanofabrication and Characterization characterization and cleanroom facilities. UC Boulder staff members who will be heading the realization of the National Quantum Nanofab facility. (From left) Aju Jugessur, Juliet Gopinath, Scott Diddams, and Cindy Regal. Courtesy of UC Boulder. LONDON — Full-stack photonic quantum computing systems provider ORCA Computing is leading a collaborative R&D consortium including Toshiba Europe, Ltd., Bay Photonics, Ltd., Imperial College London, and University College London to develop multiplexing technologies to advance quantum networking for use in quantum computing and data centers. The consortium plans to create a suite of technologies such as quantum memories, frequency shifters, and spatial switches to be operated in tandem. The companies say this will allow networking to take place within and between quantum computers to exponentially scale to performance levels necessary for industrial scale quantum computing and networking. The Sony Semicon team at the opening of its Aschheim facility. Courtesy of Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group. ASCHHEIM, Germany — Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group (Sony Semicon), a developer of image sensors, has opened an office in Aschheim, expanding the company's presence in Germany. According to the company, the modern facility is designed to support its expanding team with an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration. Innoviz’s short-range lidar will be implemented into its collaborator’s Level 4 automotive platform. Courtesy of Innoviz Technologies. TEL AVIV, Israel — Innoviz Technologies Ltd., a Tier-1 direct supplier of automotive-grade lidar sensors and perception software, has entered into a collaboration with an automotive OEM to advance its Level 4 autonomous vehicle capabilities. The OEM plans to integrate multiple short-range lidars for each of its Level 4 autonomous vehicles. Innoviz expects the collaboration will result in a series production nomination in the coming months, pending agreement of commercial terms. ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, Md. — Federal technology solutions company Vibrint has entered into a partnership with quantum technology developer QED to co-develop solutions that will allow federal government agencies to ensure quantum safety in infrastructure, defense, and intelligence. Vibrint Quantum-Safe Solutions powered by QED are hardware- and software-based, aim to fortify existing security measures, and are fully compliant with Federal Information Processing Standards, National Security Agency, and National Institute of Standards and Technology standards. These solutions include a QED co-processor, a compact-form chipset board, and quantum eSIM provisioning. DUBLIN — Equal1, a quantum computing company, and the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the deployment of high-performance computing and quantum computing (HPC-QC) in Ireland and Europe. Per the memorandum, the organizations will engage jointly with other stakeholders to seek national-level funding and support for the operation and services of HPC-QC platforms. They plan to leverage national and European programs to collaboratively engage in R&D on Equal1’s quantum computers through 2026, to enable Ireland to develop and deploy HPC-QC platforms and services for national users through synergy with the National Strategy for Quantum Technology, EU Quantum initiatives, and global activities such as IEEE Quantum. BANGKOK — Provider of metal shaping equipment HSG Laser has launched a production base in Bangkok with the aim of deepening its foothold in the local market in Southeast Asia. The site includes laser cutting production lines covering flat cutting, tube cutting, sheet cutting, 3D five-axis cutting, and automation solutions. The Bangkok production base is expected to achieve an annual production capacity of 2000 units, contributing to the company's goal of surpassing a total global capacity of 10,000 units annually. Parallel to the site’s opening, HSG Laser has entered into partnerships with local companies to support the growth of Thailand's high-end industrial manufacturing systems.