Quantumy McQuantumface? Aquark Deploys Cold Atom Quantum Tech Underwater in Boaty McBoatface Test

Insider Brief

• Aquark Technologies has successfully demonstrated the world’s first underwater test of a cold atom quantum sensor, marking a step toward real-world deployment of quantum sensing technologies.
• The trial, conducted using the National Oceanography Centre’s Boaty McBoatface submersible, gathered performance data in varying pressures and temperatures to validate sensor reliability in challenging environments.
• Aquark’s compact cold atom system, supported by NATO’s DIANA Accelerator, is being developed for use in underwater navigation, mineral detection, and magnetic field mapping where traditional sensors fall short.

A UK startup has achieved a first in quantum sensing by successfully trapping ultra-cold atoms underwater—potentially opening the door to a new era of quantum-enabled devices designed to work beyond the lab.

Aquark Technologies, based in Southampton and backed by NATO’s DIANA Accelerator Programme, completed a trial of its cold atom technology aboard the National Oceanography Centre’s autonomous submersible, better known — to people with a sense of humor — as Boaty McBoatface. The company tested its AQuest system in a controlled aquatic environment using NOC’s indoor tank facility, simulating dynamic real-world conditions beneath the ocean surface, according to a company statement.

“Seeing our platform work alongside NOC’s Autosub – known as Boaty McBoatface – was a real win for both science and fun. It was fantastic to demonstrate the compatibility of our platform with the ALR’s pressure vessel, and the resounding success of this trial has opened new doors for research enabled by quantum technologies,” Andrei Dragomir, Co-Founder & CEO, Aquark Technologies, said in the statement. “In the future, we may be able to measure the density of minerals under the sea floor using gravity measurements or perform high-sensitivity magnetic field measurements, giving scientists new ways of seeing things that were previously hidden. We may even uncover some hidden treasures!”

Proving Ruggedness

In the trial, Aquark gathered data on how its system behaved in varying pressures and temperatures, tracking the performance and stability of the cold atom trap. The findings, according to the company statement, will help fine-tune the technology for environments outside the lab, including in the deep sea or other rugged terrain where precision sensing is needed.

The core of Aquark’s innovation is its miniaturized cold atom trap, which cools atoms with lasers to near absolute zero, a technique that allows them to be used in extremely sensitive sensors. These quantum sensors are capable of measuring time, motion and magnetic fields with a level of accuracy beyond what’s possible with traditional equipment. But until now, such experiments were confined to carefully controlled laboratory settings.

Trapping cold atoms in the unstable, noisy environment of an underwater vehicle posed a major engineering challenge. The success of the test offers evidence of the robustness of Aquark’s design, which the company describes as compact, power-efficient and suitable for deployment in mobile or remote systems.

“This is the first time a cold atom trap has been tested underwater, and we have achieved it with our unique Super Molasses Trap (SMT),” said Villius Atkočius, Quantum Systems Engineer, Aquark Technologies. “The underwater world is less understood than space, so the potential for this is huge. Gravity sensing platforms like Aquark’s SMT are more reliable than traditional magnetic field sensing when working for long periods underwater or near the polar regions. With this trial with the NOC, we have shown the platform works, and we expect real-life applications to follow quickly after.” 

Strategic Advantages

This milestone is not just technical — it’s strategic. The NATO-backed DIANA initiative is focused on accelerating defense and dual-use deep tech startups across the alliance.

Aquark’s test points toward future deployment of its system in navigation and environmental monitoring where GPS is unavailable or conventional sensors fall short. For undersea warfare, the ability to navigate without satellite technology would represent a massive advantage, for example.

Dr Alex Phillips, Head of Marine Autonomous and Robotics Systems at NOC said, “Quantum sensing has the potential to make a substantial contribution to underwater navigation and seabed imaging. These initial tests illustrate that quantum technologies are now close to making the transition out of the laboratory and into underwater vehicles like Autosub Long Range.”

The technology also opens up new approaches to improved medical diagnostics.

According to the company, the test represents a shift toward real-world readiness for quantum sensing. Aquark noted that its cold atom trap performed continuously during the test, collecting “a boatload of data” under challenging condition.

With initial funding secured and a minimum viable product established, Aquark plans to advance toward commercial deployment. The company says its goal is to develop the most compact and energy-efficient cold atom core on the market — one that can leave the lab behind and operate in the field.