SynthBits: We Make Quantum Sense

SynthBits is a quantum bit platform company with applications in computing, communication and sensing. Due to technical strategic advantages, immediate value and market potential, SynthBits will start by building quantum sensors for biological applications.

The two very commonly used techniques in biology are magnetic resonance and fluorescent microscopy. The former is widely used in drug discovery and molecular structural analysis but as an ensemble measurement in artificial samples, the results lack valuable information about single molecules in native environments.

The latter technique is a way to visualize subcellular structures via microscopy. SynthBits’ proprietary quantum technology allows merging these two techniques in a single platform to offer highly sensitive, multiplexed, multimodal images of biological samples in their native states. This technology has the potential to advance drug discovery, diagnostics and basic biology research and is a great foundation for SynthBits’ journey on realizing life-changing quantum technologies

Critical Need for this Technology

Quantum technologies, such as sensors, communication nodes and computers, are built on a fundamental piece of hardware called quantum bits (qubits). For all of these applications—and especially for nano-sensing—scalable, economical, reliable and repeatable qubit generation is key. Quantum nano-sensing application also requires a small qubit size and precise qubit placement.

SynthBits addresses these requirements through a bottom-up design of qubits via its proprietary synthetic organometallic chemistry. The synthesized qubits have an optical interface allowing remote operation, are a nanometer in size and can get very close to sensing targets, are atomistically identical, and can be manufactured scalably and economically. The chemistry toolbox can be used to tailor different types of qubits to deploy them to a target for precise placement and the same toolbox can be used to synthesize qubits with varying parameters to offer simultaneous measurements of different sensors. These capabilities set SynthBit as an ideal qubit platform to measure local effects with high sensitivity in complex systems, such as biological samples. To that end, SynthBits is developing quantum microscopes to help advance life sciences research, diagnostics and drug discovery.

Competition

Nitrogen vacancy center in nanodiamond is the prototypical quantum nano sensor. However, they suffer from some material challenges intrinsic to nanoparticles:

  • Nano-diamonds are not manufactured reliably; they typically are non-uniform with varying sizes and strain that affect the qubit quality within.
  • There are typically varying number of qubits within each nano-diamond in unpredictable locations and orientations, with degrading qubit quality as the qubits gets closer to the diamond surfaces and therefore to the sensing target.
  • A single class of defect center can only perform single-channel measurement.

Potential Markets

SynthBits is a quantum platform technology company utilizing its proprietary transition metal-based molecular qubits and therefore can be used to build quantum computers, quantum communication nodes and quantum sensors. SynthBits has a strategic advantage in nano-sensing, as each qubit has remote, optical, interface, is a nanometer in size, can be mass-produced economically and are biochemistry-compatible. Out of the three quantum verticals, sensing has the lowest qubit requirements to offer value. Based on these two facts, SynthBits will initially target quantum microscopy applications to offer very rich datasets within biological samples with highly sensitive multi-channel, multi-modal images. The development required to improve microscopy applications will open up new opportunities for quantum sensing applications including magnetometry, semiconductor quality control, radar applications, structural stability testing, as well as other quantum technology verticals like computers, repeaters and transducers.

Key Innovation

A set of design principles to chemically synthesize molecules that host an optically addressable spin qubit.

R&D Status

A quantum microscope has been in use for decades in research laboratories in many forms. Building one is a commodity. SynthBits’ innovation is the design principles of chemically synthesized quantum bit. These design principles have been shown to work with many different classes of molecules. The current RD focuses on tailoring the molecules for the product application.

Team Overview

Berk D. Kovos, Ph.D. – CEO and Founder. Kovos conducted his Ph.D. work at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering on this qubit platform and has two years of industry experience in technical sales and product roles working for a quantum startup.

Technology Profile

Status: In Development
Primary industry: Quantum / Biosensing
Category (i.e. tech keywords): quantum sensors, quantum bits, microscopy, spins, optics, analytes, fluorescent tags, magnetic resonance, organometallic, multiplex, multi-modal, life-sciences tools, quantum communication, quantum computing, diagnostics, drug discovery, immuno-engineering
Employs: 1
Social challenge: improve life quality dramatically using quantum technologies

Last updated 10/24/2024