The miniature sensor, which is suitable for everyday use, can now control prostheses via muscle signals, for example, and take sensor technology in medical technology to a new level. At the Hannover Messe, Q.ANT will be demonstrating what else it can do and which industrial applications can benefit from it.

Alongside quantum computing, quantum sensor technology is regarded as a catalyst for industrial progress. One example is the magnetic field sensor from Q.ANT. "Quantum sensor technology is a game changer for industry. Our sensor can be used in numerous areas of application, whether in medical technology, electronics or the automotive industry. It can be used to measure the finest electrical currents and the resulting magnetic fields. We are creating something completely new here and this will lead to a rethink in many industries. The applications range from the quality assurance of hard disks to the identification of fault currents in power chips or batteries; even machines and devices should be able to be controlled by thought at some point," says Dr. Michael Förtsch, CEO of Q.ANT.

The magnetic field sensor makes it possible to measure the smallest magnetic fields in the picotesla range, which corresponds to one millionth of the earth's magnetic field - under everyday conditions. According to the supplier, other technical solutions only achieve a comparable sensitivity range in special laboratory environments and by cooling the sensors down to absolute zero (-273 °C) or by heating them up to +150 °C. The magnetic field sensor from Q.ANT, on the other hand, is sensitive enough to even detect human muscle signals in nerve pathways. Q.ANT will be demonstrating this at the Hannover Messe: The company is using a setup with a hand prosthesis to demonstrate how the magnetic field sensor detects the signals from human muscles and transmits them to the prosthesis, which then closes into a fist within milliseconds.

The combination of sensitivity, minimal size and operation at room temperature without direct body contact already makes the sensor ready for everyday use. In prosthesis control, magnetic signals work more precisely and reliably than electrical signals, which can be disturbed by sweat or hair on the skin, for example. The sensor can also be used in rehabilitation for muscle training control or in the diagnosis of muscle dysfunctions. For example, it could be used to detect neuronal disorders or improve the diagnosis of paraplegia. Exoskeletons can also be controlled intuitively and contribute to occupational safety. In telemedicine, it could even be used to control avatars in the metaverse in the future.

Q.ANT is a high-tech start-up founded in 2018 as a spin-off from Trumpf that promotes and industrializes photonic quantum technologies, thereby pushing the boundaries to new fields of application and processes. The company is working on technologies for data generation and data processing. To this end, Q.ANT develops quantum sensors and photonic processors. With its four product lines Photonic Computing, Particle Metrology, Atomic Gyroscopes and Magnetic Sensing, Q.ANT is a partner for a wide variety of industries and fields of application, ranging from medical technology and autonomous driving to aerospace, mechanical engineering and process technology. Q.ANT employs around 100 people at its Stuttgart site.

Hannover Messe: Hall 2, Stand A31