Quantum-science laboratory opens at Innovare Advancement Center

ROME, N.Y. — Innovare Advancement Center (IAC) at the Griffiss Institute has formally opened a new quantum-science laboratory.

The Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence Quantum Laboratory was officially unveiled Friday at the IAC in Rome, a facility that “bears the name of the man who drove its creation,” per an IAC news release.

The lab will enable foundational basic quantum research that scientists and researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate (AFRL/RI) will use to “drive advancements” in the Air Force’s command, control, computers, and intelligence (C4I) efforts. The effort will also involve international collaborators from academia and industry, IAC said.

“Innovare Advancement Center is quickly growing into its vision to become a global destination for scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs to converge and push boundaries on new technologies to advance national security,” Heather Hage, president and CEO of Griffiss Institute, said. “Naming this laboratory for the man who pushed boundaries to bring it to life is our way of honoring Col. Lawrence’s contributions and establishing the highest bar of excellence for everyone who collaborates in our state-of-the-art facility.”

Col. Lawrence retired from the U.S. Air Force this past July after spending three years as director and commander. While at AFRL/RI, Lawrence oversaw a $1.6 billion annual budget and research and development programs in C4I. He has been recognized with numerous awards and achievements throughout his 33-year career in the Air Force.

The laboratory is located on the first floor of the IAC. Researchers and scientists from across the country, and around the world, will target three primary quantum technologies: trapped ions; photonics, which involves using lasers to perform research; and superconducting, which freezes particles at a certain state to conduct research under those conditions.

The laboratory will also play a role in the AFRL’s recent designation as the Quantum Information Science Research Center for the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. The designation will allow AFRL to develop new partnerships and collaborations to gain further knowledge from leading researchers in academia and industry in the field of quantum-information science, IAC said.