PQA Case study

Automating Atomic Assembly:
Enabling the Quantum Revolution

Project Team

Professor Brian Gerardot (PI)
Dr Nicholas Werren
Dr George Kourmoulakis
Dr Johan van der Westhuizen

Heriot-Watt University,
Institute of Photonics and Quantum Technologies

Despite their size, atomically thin devices are currently assembled by hand, creating a significant bottleneck in their production. The Photonics & Quantum Accelerator (PQA) provided funding to Prof. Brian Gerardot and his team at Heriot-Watt University to advance their technology for automating atomic assembly – an essential step toward scaling up the production of quantum devices worldwide. Following very positive feedback, the team is now progressing towards spinning out a company, Atomic Architects.

The challenge

Atomically thin 2D materials provide a wide range of basic semiconductor device building blocks with unique electronic, optical, and magnetic properties which do not exist in their bulk counterparts.

Remarkably, the atomic sheets can be stacked together without restriction to form semiconductor heterostructures with unprecedented properties and capabilities. Examples of such stacking include stacking two layers with a relative twist to form novel quantum materials called moiré heterostructures that can exhibit superconductivity or exotic states of magnetism, single photon sources compatible with photonic integrated chips for quantum technologies, or the world’s thinnest light-emitting diodes and magnetic, or even ferroelectric memories.

Typically, 2D heterostructures are formed by manually stacking each layer in a tedious and low-yield process. Much faster yet precise and reproducible methods for isolating, identifying, and stacking of 2D sheets are essential for future research and technologies.

The response

PQA funding supported a team of researchers led by Prof Brian Gerardot at Heriot-Watt University, Institute of Photonics and Quantum Technologies, to build a prototype 2D assembly system. The prototype can now be trialled with end users, as a consequence of advances in the following areas:

  • Proprietary pick-and-place hardware
    The team designed and fabricated a new generation of micro-pillars with integrated heating elements. This innovation allows in-situ thermal control, enabling rapid reshaping of the polymer dome at the pillar tip, essential for precise and repeatable manipulation of atomically thin layers.

  • Optical metrology integration
    Using second harmonic generation (SHG), the team achieved sub-degree (<1°) precision in determining the relative twist angle between 2D layers. This precision is critical for assembling moiré heterostructures that exhibit exotic quantum states.

  • Graphical User Interface (GUI)
    A user-friendly software interface was developed to design and control complex heterostructure assemblies. The GUI allows users to virtually select, position, and rotate atomic layers from an automatically generated database of available crystals.

Outcomes and impact

These advances lay the groundwork for a Heriot-Watt University spin-out, Atomic Architects, to bring this technology to market. Project outcomes are being integrated into a prototype that autonomously assembles multi-layer 2D devices with improved precision and yield, which was showcased in Boston in December 2025. The team plans prototype deployments at three customer sites in early 2026 for trials and feedback before spin-out. Longer term, this work will drive high-value job creation in Central Scotland, accelerate 2D material innovations, and enable scalable manufacturing for quantum and semiconductor industries.

PQA funding has been pivotal in advancing Atomic Architect’s autonomous 2D assembly platform from concept to functional prototype and driving commercial momentum. Collaboration with Commercial Champions and Heriot-Watt University’s TTO has refined its go-to-market strategy and strengthened spin-out plans.

Key developments include:

  • Scottish High Growth Spin-out Programme
    Secured a place in the programme, providing tailored support for spin-out formation and scaling.

  • International exposure
    Booked an exhibit at the MRS Fall Meeting in Boston (December 2025) to showcase the prototype to a global audience.

  • Follow-on funding
    Applied to the Scottish Enterprise High-Growth Start-Up Programme Company Creation phase (£200,000) to refine the business strategy and investor readiness.

The team have also won £150,000 in Further Innovation funding from the PQA for field trials of the instrument.