NanoGUNE has formally commenced construction of its second research facility The Quantum Tower
- Imanol Pradales: “We aspire to have an advanced and globally recognised research ecosystem. To become a relevant actor in certain areas of the academic concert.”
- The Basque research centre for nanoscience and nanotechnology is deepening its commitment to quantum technologies with a new 1,500 m² expansion focused on developing silicon-based quantum chips.
- The Quantum Tower will consolidate nanoGUNE’s role as a reference point in the quantum field by accommodating dedicated research laboratories as well as the Donostia-based operations of the UK-based high-growth technology firm, Quantum Motion.
This morning, President Imanol Pradales, alongside nanoGUNE Director José Maria Pitarke, unveiled the project for the construction of CIC nanoGUNE’s second building - the Quantum Tower. The facility is to house both a newly established internal research group specialising in Quantum Hardware and the first European Union headquarters of Quantum Motion, an enterprise recognised for its pioneering work in semiconductor-based quantum computing technologies.
In his address, the President reaffirmed the Basque Government’s strategic objective to cultivate a high-functioning ecosystem of science, technology, and innovation through institutional collaboration and shared infrastructure between universities and research centres. He further emphasised the necessity of prioritising resource allocation to sectors of identified strategic importance: “We are a small country and that forces us to choose. To make a special effort in those areas where we are strongest or where we consider strategic.” Pradales further outlined a long-term vision for international relevance in the academic and research arenas: “We aspire to have an advanced and globally recognised research ecosystem. To become a relevant actor in certain areas of the academic concert. It is not enough to have good universities, which we have. We need to go a step further and become a university and research benchmark of the highest level.”
CIC nanoGUNE was identified as a key institutional actor in attracting high-level talent and facilitating a transition toward a knowledge-based economic model: “CIC nanoGUNE helps us to get closer to both objectives.” The President also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the structured development of a scientific ecosystem focused on quantum science: “This commitment will help us to take another step forward in the quantum race in which we aspire to become a European benchmark. To this end, we are building a whole scientific ecosystem linked to quantum science, around which a powerful industry and economy is also developing.”
The new nanoGUNE Tower will provide an additional 1,500 m² of state-of-the-art infrastructure. This development represents a clear commitment by the Basque nanoscience and nanotechnology research centre to establish itself as a leader in quantum technologies. CIC nanoGUNE Director José Maria Pitarke noted: “nanoGUNE has always worked in the field of quantum nanoscience.Now, the new Quantum Hardware group, led by Fernando González-Zalba, will have a state-of-the-art infrastructure in the new tower to design and develop quantum chips, and will do so in collaboration with the British company Quantum Motion.” Quantum computing hardware developed through this initiative is expected to support advanced scientific challenges, including the development of pharmaceuticals and novel sustainable materials.
The Quantum Hardware group, led by Ikerbasque researcher Dr. Fernando González-Zalba, will have access to a highly advanced suite of experimental infrastructure, including low-temperature systems and precision electronic instrumentation necessary for next-generation quantum device research. Dr. González-Zalba has articulated the group’s objective as follows: “To create the most advanced facility in southern Europe dedicated to the research and development of quantum processors.”
The research activity will focus on silicon-based quantum chips, a technology that draws on the same semiconductor foundations as conventional microprocessors found in everyday electronic devices. This enables compatibility with standard electronic circuits and creates favourable conditions for technology transfer and future commercial application. The key innovation lies in the use of a single electron’s spin within a transistor-like structure to function as a qubit, the fundamental unit of quantum information. This is hardware designed to overcome the scaling challenges faced by other quantum technologies, making it compatible with standard electronic circuits and unlocking new possibilities for innovation and tech development.
Quantum Motion, a UK-based enterprise with whom CIC nanoGUNE entered into a formal collaboration agreement in June, is internationally recognised for leadership in this area. Under the terms of this agreement, the company will establish its first EU headquarters within the Quantum Tower and will collaborate directly with the Quantum Hardware research group. Over the coming years, the newly established group, led by Dr. González-Zalba, is expected to expand to include a team of no fewer than 50 highly qualified professionals.
This development forms part of the broader strategic framework of the Basque Government to position the Basque Country as an international reference point in quantum science. It further contributes to the creation of a cutting-edge infrastructure ecosystem designed to catalyse growth across the science, technology, and innovation sectors.
The presentation event was attended by: President of the Basque Country Imanol Pradales; CIC nanoGUNE Director José Maria Pitarke; Basque Minister for Science, Universities and Innovation, Juan Ignacio Pérez; President of nanoGUNE and CEO of CAF, Javier Martínez-Ojinaga; Deputy Minister of Science and Innovation, Adolfo Morais; and Director of Innovation, Maialen Agirre Following the presentation, members of the Basque government were given a tour of the construction site and visited existing laboratories at CIC nanoGUNE, accompanied by the Head of the Quantum Hardware group, Dr. Fernando González-Zalba, and the Director of Technology Transfer, Ainara García.
CIC nanoGUNE
CIC nanoGUNE is the Cooperative Research Centre for Nanoscience, located in Donostia / San Sebastian. Established to perform research of scientific excellence in nanoscience and nanotechnology, the centre contributes to industrial competitiveness and economic development within the Basque Country. The institution holds the designation of María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence, awarded by the Spanish State Research Agency.
