Last weekend, #clusters4future QVLS-iLabs was represented at the BMFTR in Berlin, bringing two hands-on ion trap exhibits from phaeno gGmbH to the heart of the capital. Both demonstrators showed visitors one of the most fascinating things you can do in a physics lab: trap electrically charged particles and hold them in place using nothing but electric fields. The exhibits drew a steady stream of curious visitors across both days, with questions ranging from the very basic to the surprisingly technical.

Berlin delivered. Three days at re:publica 2026, and quantum was very much in the room.

Supported by the BMFTR, QVLS was part of the joint stand of 21 initiatives at stand M2 at STATION Berlin. At our stand, we presented two concrete examples of what quantum technology looks like in practice today: ion trap technology for quantum computing and quantum magnetometry for battery research, the latter developed within the QBattIO project of #clusters4future QVLS-iLabs.

The QVLS-iLabs future cluster enters its second phase with €15 million in funding

Come by to connect, collaborate, and explore the future of quantum technologies with us.

Third Quantum Job Afternoon for students and young professionals

We had the opportunity to present the QVLS ecosystem and projects and explore how quantum technology is transitioning from research to industry.

See you in Braunschweig!

With a new structure and clear focus, QVLS-iLabs is positioning itself for the future: New speaker teams, consisting of tandems of representatives from science and industry, strengthen the link between research and application.The proposal for the second funding phase has been submitted. The iLabs partners hope to be able to continue the successful collaboration in a further project phase!

Under the theme “From Governance to Long-Term Impact”, representatives from Clusters4Future, leading-edge clusters, and research campuses from across Germany came together to discuss sustainable structures, strategic development, and effective collaboration.

The event was a great success, drawing numerous students and early-career professionals. It was inspiring to see so much curiosity and enthusiasm around career opportunities in quantum.

On May 6–7, partners from research, industry, and transfer projects came together for focused workshops aimed at preparing the application for the second funding phase.

Together, they laid the foundation for an even stronger, more dynamic community shaping the future of quantum research!