(C)ADR: Novel cooling system for the cryogen-free, continuous, and fully automatic generation of very low temperatures near absolute zero.

Project Information

CADR

Grant agreement ID: 960217

DOI

10.3030/960217

Project closed

EC signature date 10 August 2020

Start date 1 October 2020

End date 31 March 2023

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 2 168 375,00

EU contribution

€ 1 517 862,50

Coordinated by

KIUTRA GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CADR ((C)ADR: Novel cooling system for the cryogen-free, continuous, and fully automatic generation of very low temperatures near absolute zero.)

Reporting period: 2022-01-01 to 2023-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Liquid helium (He-4) mixed with its ultra-rare isotope He-3 is the conventional medium used to generate cryogenic temperatures on the sub-Kevin scale. However, its use is expensive, presents safety risks, and cumbersome (nonmobile, poor availability, poor usability). Furthermore, future application of He-3 for scaled-up and commercial low-temperature technologies, especially quantum technology, will become untenable and redundant due to its scarcity. In addition, there is an urgent need in the emerging quantum computing field for an advanced cryogen-free cooling system for rapid, cost-effective testing of prototype sub-components such as quantum bits, quantum logic gates and quantum processors as well as other superconducting electronics

To solve these pains, kiutra has developed a cryogen-free, continuous, and fully automatic refrigeration system based on a cryogenic magnetic cooling process known as Continuous Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigeration (CADR). CADR uses widely available and low-price cooling media, allowing considerable economic savings each year in comparison with typical refrigeration systems that use He-3. Moreover, the system has a complete modular and customizable design, as it can be extended with multiple units according to the cooling requirements. It also offers a wide and stable temperature range while being easy to operate and hazard-free, thanks to the elimination of cryogens.

With the EIC Accelerator project, kiutra is aiming to develop a rapid prototyping solution for quantum manufacturers, accelerating and facilitating their Research & Development and Quality Assurance of quantum hardware.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the first project period, kiutra has been working on finalising the CADR design and setting up the system for testing from which data will be collected in the second reporting period. CE Marking was also obtained during the period. In parallel, the company's business development activities continued, closing a Series A funding round, publishing updates throughout the year through various communication channels, participating in conferences both virtually and on-site, and meeting with key stakeholders for commercialisation.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

kiutra is proposing a new state-of-the-art in cooling technology, to contribute significantly to the R&D of cryogenics and quantum technology. By combining closed-cycle cryocoolers and ADR, cooling into the mK regime can be implemented in a cryogen-free way. This is essential as the poor availability of helium-4 and notably helium-3 have recently led to a significant increase in the costs of operation and acquisition of low-temperature cryogenic equipment.

Additionally, compared to traditional cryogenic equipment, the absence of cryogenic liquids makes the operation of kiutra's tools safer, decreases maintenance costs and down times, and largely facilitates using cryogenic temperatures in both day-to-day laboratory work and industrial applications.

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