10172684Making quantum-secure photonic communications ubiquitous, cost-effective and efficientClosedFast Start ResponseInnovate UKEvery day, billions of people rely on digital communication to keep their data secure, from banking transactions and healthcare records to national defence and government services. All of this depends on encryption systems. Yet, with quantum computers on the horizon, today's encryption will no longer be secure. Attackers are already stealing encrypted data today, planning to decrypt it later once computation power is great enough. Our project tackles this urgent challenge by developing a new kind of device: quantum-ring single-photon LEDs (QR-SPLEDs). These are tiny light sources that create individual particles of light, photons, which can be used to send unbreakable encryption keys. Unlike traditional methods that can be broken by future quantum computers, this technology is based on the laws of physics themselves, making it fundamentally secure. What makes our solution different is its practicality. Current alternatives are expensive, often bulky and/or require significant cooling infrastructure. In contrast, our technology works at room temperature and is designed to be both affordable and scalable. This means secure quantum communication will no longer be limited to specialised labs but could be deployed where it's needed most, in financial institutions, telecom networks, defence systems and services that directly protect citizens' daily digital lives. This project aims to take our technology from research labs into working prototypes that prove its viability in real-world conditions. These prototypes will show that quantum-secure communication can be simple to install, cost-effective to operate and capable of protecting the UK's most critical digital infrastructure. Beyond the immediate technical goal, the impact is wide-reaching. By advancing this technology, we can help the UK become a global leader in quantum-secure communications, strengthen national resilience against cybercrime and contribute to international efforts to build a trustworthy digital future. At Photarix, our vision is clear: making quantum-secure communications ubiquitous, cheap and efficient. This project marks a decisive step toward a future where everyone can trust that their data, from bank accounts to medical records, is safe from even the most powerful computers.