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NOAC Supports Industry Growth
The NIST on a Chip (NOAC) program is revolutionizing measurement services and metrology by shrinking technologies so they can be brought out of the lab and to the places they are needed by industry. These innovations are spurring the creation of companies based on NOAC technologies and patents. Below are just a few of those companies.
Apex Atomics (formerly Vapor Cell Technologies)
Boulder, Colorado
NOAC Technology: Chip-Scale Clocks
Apex Atomics is a manufacturer of atomic devices, including clocks and sensors, that has licensed NIST’s patent on the process for making alkali metal vapor cells for applications in the defense, aerospace, medical, finance and manufacturing industries. Apex has focused on improving the manufacturing process and reducing costs with the goal of producing sensors with better longevity, reliability and performance.
Apex Atomics CEO Doug Bopp was a graduate student who completed his Ph.D. work at NIST’s Boulder campus.
“During my Ph.D., I actually reduced this IP to practice and invented follow-on processes that led to my company standing up. My research experience taught me to work with advanced technologies (photonic integrated circuits, precision micromanipulation, photolithography, semiconductor processing, quantum systems) and combined it with rigorous analytical skills (systems-level/multidomain engineering, atomic device programming, faint signal detection, high-speed spectroscopy, accurate measurement techniques, atomic physics) to produce next-generation atomic devices. More importantly, the NIST on a Chip program taught me to analyze scalable, economical and performant technologies applied to solving present-day problems, resulting in the commercialization of that work.”
– Doug Bopp, CEO of Apex Atomics
Mesa Quantum
Boulder, Colorado
NOAC Technology: Chip-Scale Clocks
Mesa Quantum is bringing chip-scale quantum sensors out of the lab and into real-world applications — paving the way for commercial deployment in sectors that require resilient alternatives to GPS. The company builds on foundational IP from NIST’s public domain patent for chip-scale atomic clocks, advancing it with proprietary innovations for next-generation quantum timing systems.
“NIST’s foundational work in chip-scale atomic clocks provided the scientific and technical backbone for Mesa Quantum’s early development. Having access to this public domain IP allowed us to accelerate our R&D and focus our efforts on advancing manufacturability, integration and real-world deployment. NIST’s leadership in quantum metrology continues to be a critical enabler for startups like ours striving to translate cutting-edge science into impactful technologies.”
– Sristy Agrawal, CEO & co-founder of Mesa Quantum
QuSpin
Louisville, Colorado
NOAC Technology: Compact Magnetometers
QuSpin is focused on building compact optical atomic magnetometers for several key sectors where high-sensitivity measurements are crucial. These include:
- Bioscience/biomedical: Particularly for noninvasive functional brain imaging and cardiac diagnostics.
- Geophysics: Applications range from mineral and resource exploration to archaeological surveying and monitoring geological or volcanic activity.
- Fundamental research: Supporting advanced physics experiments and materials science.
- Defense and security: Potential applications include the detection of unexploded ordnance, maritime surveillance, and navigation in GPS-denied environments.
The company uses NIST’s public domain intellectual property for compact magnetometers in its work.
“My journey with this technology began during my Ph.D. at NIST, where we developed the foundational principles for the compact atomic magnetometers that are now at the heart of QuSpin. NIST’s research environment and its commitment to making key intellectual property publicly accessible were absolutely critical to QuSpin’s formation and continued success. This technology has rapidly advanced and is becoming a gold standard in demanding fields like noninvasive brain imaging and ultrasensitive geophysical surveying, enabling researchers and industries worldwide to push the boundaries of discovery. We are incredibly proud of our NIST roots and the global impact this collaboration continues to foster.”
– Vishal Shah, chief scientist of QuSpin Inc.
The mention of commercial entities, equipment, tools, software, data or materials is intended to show companies that are using NIST technologies. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor is it intended to imply that the entities, equipment, tools, software, data or materials used are necessarily the best available for the purpose.