AI is loud. Quantum is quiet. - Why Invisible Breakthroughs Create Visible Empires

Rose Odette
Nov 7
4 min read

Illustrative scenario of HHG at Terahertz frequencies

The Deep-Tech Revolution

Introduction

In the research corridors of Europe, a quiet revolution is underway. Klaas-Jan Tielrooij, Senior Group Leader at the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) in Bellaterra, Spain, and Associate Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, has partnered with Laurens W. Molenkamp, Chair of Experimental Physics III at the University of Würzburg in Germany, to unlock a new era in light-based technology.

Their discovery — generating terahertz (THz) quantum light using topological insulator metamaterials at room temperature — could redefine communication, imaging, and computing. This work is funded through the European Research Council’s Starting Grant and Proof of Concept Grant to Tielrooij’s group, along with substantial German Research Foundation (DFG) support for Molenkamp’s quantum materials lab. Together, they’re building the foundation for what could be the next trillion-dollar technology platform.

Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy - Quantum is quiet.

Every scientific revolution needs a business roadmap. Here’s how this deep-tech discovery is expected to scale from lab to market:

Proof of Concept → Intellectual Property Protection The researchers are solidifying patents around THz harmonic generation and nanostructured topological insulators, supported by EU IP frameworks and ERC commercialization mandates.
Licensing and Spin-Out Creation Expect one or more spin-outs from ICN2 and University of Würzburg in the next 12–24 months. These startups will likely receive seed funding from Horizon Europe and private deep-tech investors specializing in materials and photonics.
Strategic Industry Partnerships The first GTM phase will involve telecom giants, defense contractors, and advanced imaging firms integrating THz emitters and sensors into their products — think Nokia, Airbus, or Thales-level alliances. Quantum is quiet.
Pilot Deployments in High-Margin Niches Before this hits mainstream markets, it will prove itself in non-destructive industrial testing, biometric scanning, 6G backhaul networks, and quantum-secure communication systems.
Mass-Market Ecosystem Integration The long game is embedding THz chips into consumer devices, medical imaging, and quantum hardware. Expect academic labs to maintain research control while commercialization partners handle scale-up and production.

In short — this is the semiconductor story of the 1970s repeating itself. Science first. Startups second. Disruption third.

Five Ideals

Invisible Doesn’t Mean Insignificant. The next revolution won’t come from a flashy app — it’ll come from invisible physics. Terahertz light, sitting between microwaves and infrared, is the silent bridge to 6G, medical imaging, and quantum computing.
The Future Belongs to the Physicists and the Founders. While the world debates AI ethics, physicists like Tielrooij and Molenkamp are building the hardware backbone for the next century. They’re not chasing hype — they’re engineering inevitability.
Deep Tech Requires Deep Patience. It took decades to reach stable THz generation at room temperature. Now, commercialization will require collaboration between universities, venture capital, and industry pioneers.
Every Great Invention Needs a GTM Engine. Discovery alone doesn’t build empires. Strategic alliances, protected IP, and staged adoption will. The labs are already building that roadmap.
Entrepreneurs Win When They See What’s Next. Most people won’t recognize the impact of this for five years. Visionaries will already be mapping how to integrate it into their industries today.

Five Action Items

Follow the Labs Before the Brands. Stay ahead of the curve by tracking research from ICN2 Spain, Eindhoven University of Technology, and University of Würzburg.
Spot Early Adopters. Defense, automotive, and imaging sectors will be the first to adopt THz tech — study their pilot programs to spot investment and partnership opportunities.
Partner Across Disciplines. Innovation now requires cross-pollination. Connect quantum physics with AI, healthcare, and manufacturing to uncover blue-ocean applications.
Educate and Evangelize. Simplify the science for decision-makers. Those who can translate physics into profit will lead the next era of innovation.
Position for the Long Game. The next decade’s billion-dollar exits will come from those who saw beyond software and into the physics of the future.

Conclusion

This terahertz breakthrough is more than a physics milestone — it’s a business inflection point. Funded by Europe, powered by quantum materials, and guided by visionary scientists, it’s setting the stage for industries that don’t even exist yet.

The entrepreneurs who recognize these “invisible empires” early — and build bridges from lab to market — will define the future. Because when you understand how invisible light shapes visible wealth, you don’t wait for the trend… you become it.