Delta g raises £1.5m to commercialise subsurface mapping tech

Led by CEO Pete Stirling and founded by Andrew Lamb, Jonathan Winch and Professor Michael Holynski, the company is a Birmingham University spinout that is set to commercialise technology based on work carried out at the Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Timing.

Its work builds on research into gravity gradiometry carried out over the past decade, which culminated in the development and demonstration of the world's first practical quantum gravity gradient sensor.

Organisations involved in infrastructure, development and repair projects rely on accurate surface-level information to enable the visualisation of underground locations. Existing cartographic tools are limited due to poor ability to see past topmost layers, inconsistent measurements in varying ground conditions, an inability to measure in high-vibration environments, or slow measurements resulting in prohibitive time and financial costs.

Consequently, these tools are limited in identifying subsurface anomalies accurately and reliably, from subsidence and sinkholes to existing utilities or old mine works. Sixteen per cent of contractor damage to the UK’s utility infrastructure is due to limited subsurface information.

Delta g uses gravity gradiometry to measure subtle changes in the strength of gravitational fields when clouds of atoms are dropped. The bigger the object and the greater the difference in density of the object from its surroundings, the stronger the measurable difference in pull. The company aims to commercialise quantum theory by resolving challenges such as vibration, instrument tilt and disruption from magnetic fields or thermal effects, to perform high spatial resolution surveys.

Delta g will use its new funding to embark on real-world trials with industrial clients to demonstrate the efficacy of its approach and to further commercialise its technology, reducing the size, weight, power and cost of its hardware.

“The UK would massively benefit from delivering major infrastructure projects on time and on budget, and through increased productivity by reducing the time it takes to bring such projects to the point of benefitting people,” Stirling said in a statement. “A big part of this is the difficulty found in mapping the complex unseen environments and hidden critical infrastructure that resides under the ground. Considerable budgets are allocated to ensure that unexpected obstacles can be overcome. On HS2 alone, the contingency for unforeseen ground conditions is £248m.

“While the UK has made great strides in boosting its underground survey capabilities, existing technologies are still limited in their efficacy due to inconsistency, prolonged measurement times and reactive use. Furthermore, if they miss anything, the ramifications could be huge. We solve this problem by making it far quicker and easier to map what the eyes can’t see. Our technology is the culmination of decades of academic research into quantum sensors and their real-world applications, so it’s extremely gratifying that leading VCs have recognised its vast commercial potential.”

The round was led by Science Creates Ventures, with further investment from Quantum Exponential Group, Newable Ventures, Bristol Private Equity Club, as well as several angel investors, including Hitesh Thakrar and Howard Covington.