Ability Engineering Technology (AET) has joined the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) as a corporate partner to assist in the development of specialized quantum-ready infrastructure. AET, a South Holland, Illinois–based manufacturer established in 1947, specializes in high-precision cryogenic systems, vacuum chambers, and pressure vessels. These components are essential for maintaining the ultra-low temperatures and stable environments required for the reliable operation of superconducting and silicon-based quantum processors.
The collaboration focuses on addressing the engineering bottlenecks that occur when transitioning quantum technologies from laboratory prototypes to industrial-scale deployment. AET will integrate its specialized manufacturing and design expertise with the research activities of CQE’s members, which include the University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, and Fermilab. The partnership aims to refine the design, production, and assembly cycles of quantum hardware, ensuring that the necessary cryogenic and vacuum infrastructure can scale alongside qubit counts.
Beyond equipment supply, the partnership supports the Bloch Quantum Tech Hub, an EDA-designated initiative focused on scaling quantum-based innovations in the Midwest. AET will contribute to regional workforce development by providing on-site technical training and engineering expertise. This integration is part of a broader effort by the CQE, which now includes nearly 70 partners, to establish a robust domestic supply chain and develop standardized manufacturing protocols for next-generation quantum sensing, computing, and communication systems.
Read the official announcement from the Chicago Quantum Exchange here.
January 21, 2026
