Quantum physics in games of chance?: UdeC scientists develop technology that makes it possible

Have you ever wondered how it is possible to guarantee that the results of a raffle are truly random? A groundbreaking research developed by academics from the University of Concepción sheds some light.

The Dr. Gustavo Lima Moreira, from the Department of Physics of the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, UdeC, collaborated with his colleagues from the University of Gdansk in Poland, to develop this study that culminated -recently- in the signing of a exclusive license agreementbetween the penquista house of studies and the university technology-based company (EBTU) SeQure SpA.

This milestone was recently completed and will allow the company to be in charge of the validation and commercialization of the new technology, called ‘DI-QRNG’which has various applications in fields such as telecommunications and computer security.

The mentioned technology consists of an unconditionally random and self-certifying quantum generator of numbers, based on the control of quantum states of individual photons.

“We are talking about the generation of random numbers, which can be used in all areas of applied science, but with the innovative component that they are generated by the laws of quantum mechanics and, therefore, are really random because, unlike other existing technologies, they are not obtained from simulations processed by a computer that, in turn, is controlled by predictable algorithms”, says Dr. Lima, who is also the manager of the licensee company SeQure SpA.

A practical application of this technology for use as a raffle raffle was developed with the commercial and technical advice of Concepcion Lottery where, with great success, a test draw was carried out. “The numbers generated by our technology, in addition to being random, are also certified as private in accordance with the laws of physics, which offers applications in secure communications and even electronic games,” says Dr. Lima.

With the support of the team from the Transfer and Licensing Office (OTL UdeC), it was possible to generate the agreement that will allow the technology to be transferred to the EBTU. “This technology commercialization process has been a new challenge, as the result to be transferred comes from a R&D collaboration, with the Polish University of Gdańsk, which adds one more actor to decision-making and new protocols and review and analysis processes; but finally it was possible to reach an agreement and sign this license agreement. We are confident in the robustness of the solution”, comments Andrea Catalan Wolvesexecutive director of the OTL UdeC.

“For us, having the exclusivity of the license is crucial in the process of searching for new investors, brand a relevant milestone opening of the university that allows us to decide how to sublicense and is a great vote of confidence in us as a company”, celebrated the UdeC academic.

Regarding the expectations after the signing of the license with the University of Concepción, from the SeQure company, they point out that their short-term objective is the development of a team that presents even more compatibility with the communications industry, and at the same time, get new investments for new applications.