The Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Central Texas Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization (CenTex RCIC) announces that the state of Texas has chosen Quantum Logic Devices Inc., an Austin nanotechnology firm, as a recipient of $600,000 funded through the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (ETF). Quantum Logic Devices will use the grant to help accelerate the commercialization of its patented nanoelectronic platforms, which will promote knowledge generation in such fields as genomics, proteomics and drug discovery.

“This funding is a strong validation of our vision and will help to bring our revolutionary products to market,” said Louis Brousseau, CEO and President of Quantum Logic Devices. “Texas has great resources in both semiconductor electronics and healthcare – the convergence of which represents the future of both industries. Quantum Logic Devices will leverage this legacy with our expertise in nanoscale devices to position Texas as a leader of this exciting new direction.”

Quantum Logic Devices, founded in 2000, develops single-electron devices that enable a simpler and less expensive way to analyze DNA, protein and molecular interactions. The company has five U.S. and two international patents describing the fabrication and utility of single-electron transistors, with additional patents pending. Much of Quantum’s technologies originated from Brousseau’s past research at Arizona State University and North Carolina State University.

Quantum’s strong multidisciplinary network of suppliers, vendors, partners and early-stage customers are working together to develop this revolutionary technology that will accelerate biomedical research and drug discovery as well as re-personalize the practice of medicine by providing new point-of-care diagnostic capabilities. The company collaborated with the Microelectronics Research Center at the University of Texas’ Pickle Center by using its cleanrooms, which were too expensive for the company to purchase on its own.

"We are excited that the ETF Committee selected Quantum for an award,” said Jeff King, a partner at the law firm Haynes and Boone LLP and Chairman of CenTex RCIC. “Our reviewing panel is especially pleased to know that Quantum's collaboration with the University of Texas resulted in the acceleration of these technologies."

Quantum Logic Devices was chosen by CenTex RCIC after a long process that took various criteria into consideration. CenTex RCIC, a virtual center that operates out of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, serves a 15-county region as a catalyst for emerging technology research and start-up incubation and focuses on integrating technology development and commercialization.

The CenTex RCIC works closely with the Chamber’s AusTech Alliance, a group of technology businesses and organizations working to consolidate efforts that strengthen the regional technology sector and to keep Texas globally competitive. The Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN), which aims to assist local entrepreneurs with investment opportunities, also works with the CenTex RCIC, ETF and the universities to identify capital for start-ups.