Quantum Tech for Sharper MRIs, Smarter GPS Steals Spotlight at Kolkata Meet

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 18: Advances in quantum technology, promising sharper MRI scans and GPS navigation systems that do not drift, were highlighted at the International Conference and Exposition on Quantum Sensing and Metrology (ICEQSM) 2025, which concluded recently.

The four-day global conference, organised by CQuERE, TCG CREST at the Bose Institute Auditorium, brought together scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs and students from across the world. Held as part of the United Nations’ International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, the event was also aligned with the Government of India’s National Quantum Mission launched in 2024.

“What excited me about ICEQSM 2025 was seeing complex quantum science connect with everyday problems people actually care about,� said Suprakash Das, Director Finance & Operations (CFO), TCG CREST. “We were talking about GPS that doesn’t drift, MRI scans that are faster and clearer, and tools that can help farmers or climate scientists make better decisions. Hosting this in Kolkata showed how far India has come in building a place where researchers, companies, and students could learn from one another and build something meaningful together.�

One of the core mottos of the conference was to bridge academia and industry. The discussions were centred on the translatory nature of research, where prototypes can move from the laboratory test bed to the product level, underscoring India’s bid to become a leader in applied quantum technology.

The sessions focused on applications in navigation, healthcare, climate monitoring and defence, with experts presenting work on quantum sensors, metrology, cold atom interferometers and quantum-enhanced navigation systems.

Dr Tanmoy Basu, Assistant Professor, TCG CREST and a member of the National Quantum Mission, showcased research on nitrogen vacancy centres in diamond, which can be used as multimodal sensors for magnetometry, thermometry and biomedical applications. “From navigation to healthcare, the possibilities are immense, and it was encouraging to see Kolkata at the heart of this global dialogue,� he said.

Dr Aishik Acharya, Senior Scientist, TCG CREST, said the conference built “a strong bridge between academia, industry, and start-ups,� while Dr Shibdas Roy, Assistant Professor, TCG CREST, noted that quantum sensing and metrology are “central to the future of technology� and praised the global collaborations forged at the meet.

Supported by ISRO, ANRF and industry partners, ICEQSM 2025 also hosted Wiley-sponsored awards and start-up showcases, underscoring India’s push to turn quantum research into everyday technology.

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