Quantum Silicon

Quantum Silicon Inc. (QSi), an Edmonton-based company founded in 2011, operates at the forefront of the semiconductor industry, developing quantum computing devices. The company spun out of the University of Alberta, leveraging the research of Robert A. Wolkow, who serves as the Chief Technical Officer. He is joined by Ken Gordon, the company's CEO.

QSi is focused on developing a new class of electronics that move beyond traditional transistor architecture. The firm's core technology utilizes collections of silicon atoms to represent, transmit, and create information, with computation performed by rearranging a fixed set of electrons. This process is designed to be significantly more energy-efficient, consuming substantially less power than current CMOS devices, and capable of operating at room temperature. A key differentiator is the technology's compatibility with existing silicon-based manufacturing processes, which facilitates integration into current semiconductor production lines.

The company's primary product is a quantum accelerator chip built on its proprietary atomic-scale, field-controlled computing platform. These all-silicon devices are designed for industries requiring high-speed and energy-efficient electronics. By avoiding the high electron flow of transistors, QSi's chips generate significantly less heat, addressing a major bottleneck in the advancement of computing power. While still in the early stages of commercialization, QSi is identifying initial products, such as a quantum random number generator for encryption applications. The business model involves developing, manufacturing, and licensing its high-speed, all-silicon electronics to major global manufacturers in the semiconductor sector.

Since its inception, Quantum Silicon has been backed by several investors, including the University of Alberta, Startup TNT, and Privilège Ventures. The company has progressed through multiple funding stages, from its initial university spin-out to seed and angel rounds, securing its first angel investment in 2022. QSi holds a portfolio of patents for its circuits and its scalable, atomically precise manufacturing technology, which is enhanced by machine learning.

Keywords: quantum computing, semiconductor technology, silicon quantum dots, atomic-scale manufacturing, energy-efficient electronics, quantum accelerator chips, field-controlled computing, integrated circuits, nanotechnology, CMOS compatible, quantum random number generator, next-generation computing, electronics manufacturing, deep tech, University of Alberta spin-off, silicon photonics, high-performance computing, quantum devices, advanced materials, circuit design