NIST launches $20 M Quantum Manufacturing Engineering Center

The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is allocating $20 million to create the Quantum Manufacturing Engineering Center (QMEC) in partnership with nonprofit research firm SRI International. The center will focus on scaling production of high‑performance quantum components, especially cryogenic systems and lasers that reduce noise in delicate quantum devices.

QMEC aims to develop manufacturing processes, standards and supply‑chain capabilities for quantum chips, integrated photonic circuits and other enabling technologies within the next three years. The effort builds on NIST’s earlier collaboration with SRI through the Quantum Economic Development Consortium and responds to the White House’s executive order on advancing quantum computing, sensing and networking.

Deputy Secretary of Commerce Paul Dabbar said quantum science will “supercharge scientific research and unlock enormous economic potential.” NIST Director Arvind Raman added that the public‑private partnership will “accelerate the development of America’s quantum industrial base – the foundation upon which the quantum revolution is being built.”