For decades, CU Boulder has been an international听leader in quantum physics, and in transforming quantum research breakthroughs into real-world applications鈥攆rom lasers that detect methane in the air to new microscopes that can probe the world in never-before-seen detail. Over its 60-year history, JILA鈥攁 joint Institute between CU Boulder and NIST鈥攈as boasted four Nobel听Prize winners. Learn more about our latest quantum science and research discoveries.听

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A volunteer blowing into a breathalyzer

New laser-based breathalyzer sniffs out COVID, other diseases in real-time

April 10, 2023

A new 鈥渄igital nose鈥� created with Nobel Prize-winning CU technology can provide COVID-19 test results in less than one hour with excellent accuracy. It could ultimately be used for on-the-go virus testing, diagnosis of cancer and lung diseases and more.

Surface of Earth as seen from space

New NASA grant to support quantum sensors in space

March 16, 2023

In a new, multi-university project, researchers from CU Boulder will help to design incredibly-sensitive quantum sensors that can detect changes in Earth's climate from space.

A new microwave made out of copper

How to rebuild an atomic clock

Dec. 8, 2022

The National Institute of Standards and Technology laboratories have housed atomic clocks for decades鈥攊ncluding the cesium atomic clock NIST-F1, which serves as the primary time and frequency standard in the U.S. Researchers continue to improve the clocks' accuracies, a process that sometimes has included rebuilding parts.

JILA building with the Flatirons in the background.

Lockheed Martin, CUbit Quantum Initiative formalize quantum partnership

Nov. 2, 2022

CU Boulder's CUbit Quantum Initiative has announced Lockheed Martin as the latest industry quantum leader to become a CUbit Innovation Partner.

Graphic showing a material made up of octahedra with loop currents (arrows moving in a circle) flowing inside. Green dots representing electrons also whiz through.

Physicists probe 鈥榓stonishing鈥� morphing properties of honeycomb-like material

Oct. 12, 2022

A newly discovered material structured like a honeycomb can transform from an electrical insulator, like rubber, into an electrical conductor, like metal, in a matter of seconds. Now, researchers at CU Boulder think they can explain why.

Engineer wearing a mask and cap working in cleanroom at COSINC

As US ramps up semiconductor production, engineers are probing new tiny electronics

Aug. 30, 2022

This month, President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law. The bill is putting new focus on semiconductors鈥攖he tiny devices that are in everything from smartphones to laptops and even thermostats.

Margaret Murnane, U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, Philip DiStefano and Todd Saliman inspect equipment in a lab

Colorado's quantum revolution turning state into new Silicon Valley

June 28, 2022

Quantum technologies, or tools inspired by a weird and wild branch of physics, are now becoming a reality鈥攁nd they may soon transform your life.

Artist's depiction of an electro-optic transducer, an ultra-thin wafer that can read out the information from a superconducting qubit.

What quantum information and snowflakes have in common, and what we can do about it

June 15, 2022

Qubits, the basic building blocks of quantum computers, are as fragile as snowflakes. Now, researchers have come up with a new way of reading out the information from certain kinds of qubits with a light touch, potentially paving the way for a quantum internet.

monitoring methane at an oil and gas site

Methane leaks are a major factor in climate change. One startup wants to stop them

June 8, 2022

Escaped methane from oil and gas operations contributes more to climate change than previously thought. But a new CU Boulder-born startup, inspired by a 2005 Nobel Prize winning discovery, has devised a way to sniff out leaks in real time.

U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, right, tours the lab of physicist Jun Ye at JILA in December 2021.

5 things you should know about being a quantum physicist

April 14, 2022

Three CU Boulder graduate students discuss the ins and outs of quantum physics鈥攊ncluding how the field will help us send secret messages using unbreakable codes.

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