Delta Gold Technologies PLC (Aquis: DGQ / OTC: DGQTF) has signed a Research Sponsorship and exclusive Technology Licensing Agreement (TLA) with Penn State University. This partnership is focused on the development of quantum intellectual property (IP) centered on gold nanoclusters, or “super atoms,” which exhibit spin properties analogous to state-of-the-art trapped-ion systems but in a scalable, solid-state format. The agreement coordinates research between Penn State and the University of Toronto to address material bottlenecks in the quantum hardware sector.

Research Context: Tunable Spin in Gold Nanoclusters

The partnership is supported by research led by Professor Kenneth L. Knappenberger, head of Penn State’s Department of Chemistry. Recent work published in ACS Central Science and The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters demonstrates that gold nanoclusters (such as Au144 and Au25) can mimic the long-lasting spin polarization of trapped gaseous ions, which are typically difficult to scale due to their dilute nature.

By precisely adjusting the molecules (ligands) surrounding the gold core, the research team successfully manipulated spin polarization—a property usually fixed in materials. Key technical findings include:

  • Tunable Polarization: Spin polarization was measured between 7% and 40% depending on the specific ligand used, a range competitive with leading 2D quantum materials.
  • Superatomic States: The team identified 19 unique Rydberg-like spin-polarized states, providing a foundation for executing high-fidelity, spin-based quantum operations.
  • Scalability: Unlike gas-phase systems, these “super atoms” can be synthesized in large quantities and integrated into solid-state architectures, reducing environmental interference while maintaining high correlation.

Commercial and Licensing Terms

Under the TLA, Delta Gold Technologies will sponsor a three-year research program with a total budget of USD $2,991,426. In exchange, the company receives an exclusive, sublicensable license for all resulting IP, excluding the field of Human Health. Delta will pay a 1% royalty on Net Sales once cumulative revenues exceed USD $20,000,000. The mission is to establish a “Centre of Excellence” that translates chemical synthesis and materials engineering into manufacturable quantum computing components.

For more details, access the official RNS announcement here, read the technical research summary on SciTechDaily here, and view the ValueTheMarkets analysis here.

February 17, 2026

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