Finnish Physicist Named European Inventor Award Finalist for Quantum Hardware Research

Physicist and professor Mikko Möttönen has been named a finalist in the Research category for the 2026 European Inventor Award, recognized for developing hardware designed to improve the reliability of quantum computers.

The announcement, made on May 12, 2026, by the European Patent Office, highlights Möttönen’s creation of an ultrasensitive cryogenic microwave sensor. The device is engineered to diagnose interference within quantum systems by measuring extremely weak microwave signals to detect and measure tiny power leaks.

This diagnostic capability is critical because the sensor can identify these leaks without disturbing the fragile quantum systems it is monitoring.

The development addresses a primary technical hurdle in the quantum sector. Unlike conventional computers that use bits, quantum computers utilize qubits, which enable advanced calculations but are easily disrupted by unwanted energy.

To maintain these states, systems must operate at temperatures near absolute zero, where even minute energy disruptions can degrade performance.

The recognition of this hardware comes amid significant economic projections for the quantum industry. According to the European Commission, the quantum sector is expected to exceed a global value of €155 billion by 2040 and create thousands of highly skilled jobs across the European Union.

The growth of the sector is further evidenced by patent activity. A study conducted by the OECD and the European Patent Office found that the number of international patent families in quantum technology increased five-fold over the last decade.

Despite this surge in intellectual property, the sector remains in an early stage of technological maturity, with limited commercialization due to the difficulty of operating these machines reliably outside of laboratory environments.

Quantum computers are incredibly complex machines; by the time they are commercially available, they will be built on a foundation of a huge number of individual patents

Mikko Möttönen

Möttönen is one of 12 finalists selected for the 2026 awards. The finalists represent a range of technical fields, including semiconductors, digital tech, biotechnology, healthcare, renewable energy, food tech, quantum, rail, and advanced manufacturing.

The selection process includes a Popular Prize, for which public voting opened on May 12, 2026. The winner of the Popular Prize will be determined by a 50/50 split between jury votes and public participation.

Voting for the Popular Prize remains open until the closing of the platform during the livestream ceremony in Berlin on July 2, 2026.

The winners of the four main categories, including the Research category in which Möttönen is a finalist, will be revealed during the July 2 ceremony.