Dutch University Receives €3.6 Million to Revolutionize Infrastructure Safety Using Quantum Technology

2026-02-21 semicon

Delft, Saturday, 21 February 2026.
TU Delft’s breakthrough quantum-enhanced damage detection system could transform how we monitor critical infrastructure safety. Dr. Vahid Yaghoubi secured €3.6 million in funding to develop quantum photonic vibrometry combined with AI for early detection of internal damage in composite structures used in aircraft and wind turbines. The project integrates quantum machine learning to identify subtle vibration signatures that indicate structural problems before they become catastrophic failures, potentially establishing new safety benchmarks for aerospace and renewable energy sectors.

Quantum Computing Technology Powers Structural Health Monitoring Revolution

This innovation falls squarely within the quantum computing domain, specifically quantum photonics applications. The TU Delft project centers on quantum photonic vibrometry (QPV), which represents a quantum-enhanced approach to traditional vibration measurement techniques [1]. The research team, led by Dr. Vahid Yaghoubi Nasrabadi at TU Delft, has validated the quantum photonic vibrometer for vibration measurement in collaboration with Quantum Computing Inc. [1]. The project integrates quantum photonic vibrometry, quantum machine learning, and artificial intelligence for structural health monitoring (SHM) applications [1]. This quantum-enhanced framework aims to detect subtle vibration signatures associated with early stages of internal damage in composite structures used across aerospace and renewable energy sectors [1].

Financial Structure and Industry Partnership Model

The total funding package of €3.6 million comprises 3.6 million euros, with Dr. Vahid Yaghoubi receiving €2.5 million from NWO through the Dutch National Growth Fund programme NXTGEN Hightech, plus an additional €1.1 million in co-funding from industry partners [1][5]. This funding structure demonstrates significant private sector confidence in quantum-enhanced monitoring technologies. The research will be conducted at the Q-VAIbe Lab, which specializes in quantum-enhanced vibration data analysis and AI for assessing structural integrity [5]. The collaborative approach involves multiple academic and industry partners, including Dr. Dimitrios Zarouchas from TU Delft, Prof. Dr. Vedran Dunjko from Leiden University, Dr. Mahyar Shahsavari from Radboud University, alongside industry partners Quantum Computing Inc., Suzlon Energy Ltd., and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines [1].

Technical Innovation and Operational Mechanics

The quantum-enhanced damage detection system operates by leveraging quantum photonic sensors to measure vibrations with unprecedented precision and sensitivity compared to classical monitoring systems [GPT]. The SHM framework integrates quantum machine learning algorithms to analyze complex vibration patterns and identify anomalies that indicate structural degradation before visible damage occurs [1]. Aircraft and wind turbine structures present particular challenges because they are increasingly lightweight and efficient, making internal damage detection more difficult using conventional methods [5]. The quantum photonic vibrometer can detect minute changes in structural behavior that would be imperceptible to traditional sensors, enabling predictive maintenance strategies that prevent catastrophic failures [GPT]. This approach represents a paradigm shift from reactive maintenance to proactive structural health management in critical infrastructure applications.

Strategic Impact on Aerospace and Renewable Energy Sectors

The practical applications extend across two critical industries where structural integrity is paramount for safety and economic performance. In aerospace applications, the technology addresses the challenge of monitoring composite materials in aircraft structures, where undetected internal damage could lead to catastrophic failures [1][5]. For wind energy applications, early detection of structural problems in turbine components can significantly reduce maintenance costs and improve operational efficiency [1]. Dr. Yaghoubi’s stated goal is to ‘develop trustworthy monitoring systems for critical infrastructure’ and establish ‘new benchmarks for safety, reliability, and productivity in aerospace and wind energy’ [5]. The project seeks to translate quantum-enhanced monitoring from laboratory research into practical solutions for real-world applications, potentially positioning the Netherlands as a leader in both quantum technologies and sustainable energy infrastructure monitoring [1]. The involvement of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Suzlon Energy Ltd. as industry partners demonstrates immediate commercial interest in deploying these quantum-enhanced monitoring capabilities [1].

Bronnen

quantum computing damage detection