Born in a physics lab.
Built to stop counterfeits.
Born in a physics lab. Built to stop counterfeits.
Quantum Base spun out of Lancaster University in 2015 with a simple discovery: certain materials carry a quantum level fingerprint that physically cannot be cloned. A decade later, that fingerprint protects 2 billion products worldwide.
Origin
Origin
It started with
a question.
It started with
a question.
Quantum Base began in 2013 from Professor Rob Young’s Lancaster University research into quantum technology for information security.
Its breakthrough was Q-ID®: a physical fingerprint created by atomic-scale variations in quantum-active materials, readable by smartphone in under three seconds and impossible to replicate.
After public prototypes in 2017 and years of scale-up, Q-ID® entered large-volume commercial use in 2024. Today, more than two billion Q-IDs protect products worldwide, and Quantum Base is listed on the London Stock Exchange as LON: QUBE.
The mission remains the same: take deep science out of the lab and apply it to problems that matter.
Mission
Quantum Base exists to use science to improve the world
Its focus is one of the most damaging unsolved problems in global commerce: counterfeiting, a £2.8 trillion industry that has defeated every solution thrown at it. The mission is to change that by making quantum technology practical, accessible, and simple enough for any printer, any brand, and any product anywhere in the world to use.
Milestones
From a Lancaster lab to 2 billion products
From a Lancaster lab to 2 billion products
A decade of breakthroughs—from foundational research and first patents to commercial deployment at global scale.
First patents
First patents granted protecting the science behind the invention.
2015
Global Deployment
Q-ID® is now deployed on 2b products worldwide, authenticated using over 170 models of iOS and Android smartphones.
2026
LSE Listing
Listed on London Stock Exchange as LON:QUBE. Today.
2025
First Government Contract
First Government contract awarded to Quantum Base
2024
First prototype
Multi device calibration to work across X smartphone models
2023
UV Q-ID® breakthrough
Breakthrough to enable smartphone camera use for authentication.
2021
Early Prototype
First prototype produced requiring UV filter on one smartphone.
2017
First Patents Granted
First patents granted protecting the science behind the invention.
2016
Foundational Research
Professor Rob Young publishes "physically unclonable function" using quantum-active molecules excited by light. The scientific paper at the heart of the Q-ID® Invention.
2015
Quantum Base Founded
Quantum Base founded out of Lancaster University Physics Department by Professor Robert Young.
2013
UV Q-ID breakthrough
Breakthrough to enable smartphone camera use for authentication.
2025
First patents
First patents granted protecting the science behind the invention.
2015
Global Deployment
Q-ID® is now deployed on 2b products worldwide, authenticated using over 170 models of iOS and Android smartphones.
2026
LSE Listing
Listed on London Stock Exchange as LON:QUBE. Today.
2025
First Government Contract
First Government contract awarded to Quantum Base
2024
First prototype
Multi device calibration to work across X smartphone models
2023
UV Q-ID® breakthrough
Breakthrough to enable smartphone camera use for authentication.
2021
Early Prototype
First prototype produced requiring UV filter on one smartphone.
2017
First Patents Granted
First patents granted protecting the science behind the invention.
2016
Foundational Research
Professor Rob Young publishes "physically unclonable function" using quantum-active molecules excited by light. The scientific paper at the heart of the Q-ID® Invention.
2015
Quantum Base Founded
Quantum Base founded out of Lancaster University Physics Department by Professor Robert Young.
2013
UV Q-ID breakthrough
Breakthrough to enable smartphone camera use for authentication.
2025
First patents
First patents granted protecting the science behind the invention.
2015
Global Deployment
Q-ID® is now deployed on 2b products worldwide, authenticated using over 170 models of iOS and Android smartphones.
2026
Global Deployment
Q-ID® is now deployed on 2b products worldwide, authenticated using over 170 models of iOS and Android smartphones.
2026
LSE Listing
Listed on London Stock Exchange as LON:QUBE. Today.
2025
LSE Listing
Listed on London Stock Exchange as LON:QUBE. Today.
2025
First Government Contract
First Government contract awarded to Quantum Base
2024
First Government Contract
First Government contract awarded to Quantum Base
2024
First prototype
Multi device calibration to work across X smartphone models
2023
First prototype
Multi device calibration to work across X smartphone models
2023
UV Q-ID® breakthrough
Breakthrough to enable smartphone camera use for authentication.
2021
UV Q-ID® breakthrough
Breakthrough to enable smartphone camera use for authentication.
2021
Early Prototype
First prototype produced requiring UV filter on one smartphone.
2017
Early Prototype
First prototype produced requiring UV filter on one smartphone.
2017
First Patents Granted
First patents granted protecting the science behind the invention.
2016
First Patents Granted
First patents granted protecting the science behind the invention.
2016
Foundational Research
Professor Rob Young publishes "physically unclonable function" using quantum-active molecules excited by light. The scientific paper at the heart of the Q-ID® Invention.
2015
Foundational Research
Professor Rob Young publishes "physically unclonable function" using quantum-active molecules excited by light. The scientific paper at the heart of the Q-ID® Invention.
2015
Quantum Base Founded
Quantum Base founded out of Lancaster University Physics Department by Professor Robert Young.
2013
Quantum Base Founded
Quantum Base founded out of Lancaster University Physics Department by Professor Robert Young.
2013
UV Q-ID breakthrough
Breakthrough to enable smartphone camera use for authentication.
2025
Science
Q-ID® works at the atomic level. Each Q-ID® contains millions of quantum-active molecules whose arrangement is unique at the atomic level, not manufactured to be unique, but unique because quantum physics makes it impossible to control precisely enough to replicate.
When a smartphone flash excites those molecules, they emit a pattern of light that is theirs alone. That pattern is authenticated using patented algorithms in under three seconds. It has never been successfully counterfeited.
The science is protected by 40+ patents. It was developed over ten years at Lancaster University and has been confirmed by independent adversarial testing. No equivalent smartphone authenticated solution exists.
Leadership
Professor Robert Young
Founder, Chief Scientist
Robert holds a Master's degree in physics from Oxford and a PhD in experimental quantum information processing from Cambridge. He founded Quantum Base at Lancaster University in 2015 after identifying that the quantum behaviour of printing ink could create an authentication fingerprint physically impossible to replicate. He has since built that insight into a 40+ patent portfolio and two billion products protected worldwide.
Professor Robert Young
Founder, Chief Scientist
Robert holds a Master's degree in physics from Oxford and a PhD in experimental quantum information processing from Cambridge. He founded Quantum Base at Lancaster University in 2015 after identifying that the quantum behaviour of printing ink could create an authentication fingerprint physically impossible to replicate. He has since built that insight into a 40+ patent portfolio and two billion products protected worldwide.
Robert holds a Master's degree in physics from Oxford and a PhD in experimental quantum information processing from Cambridge. He founded Quantum Base at Lancaster University in 2015 after identifying that the quantum behaviour of printing ink could create an authentication fingerprint physically impossible to replicate. He has since built that insight into a 40+ patent portfolio and two billion products protected worldwide.
Tom Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
Tom joined Quantum Base from Made Tech, where he drove growth from 30 to 500 people delivering multi-million pound contracts at UK Government clients including HMRC and the Home Office. He led Quantum Base through its IPO on the London Stock Exchange in 2025 and is focused on scaling Q-ID® into new markets and geographies.
Tom Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
Tom joined Quantum Base from Made Tech, where he drove growth from 30 to 500 people delivering multi-million pound contracts at UK Government clients including HMRC and the Home Office. He led Quantum Base through its IPO on the London Stock Exchange in 2025 and is focused on scaling Q-ID® into new markets and geographies.
Tom joined Quantum Base from Made Tech, where he drove growth from 30 to 500 people delivering multi-million pound contracts at UK Government clients including HMRC and the Home Office. He led Quantum Base through its IPO on the London Stock Exchange in 2025 and is focused on scaling Q-ID® into new markets and geographies.
David Howrath
Chief Technology Officer
David joined Quantum Base from BAE Systems, where he was Senior Engineering Manager responsible for Performance and Strategy across Maritime Submarines, and holds an MEng in Computer Systems, an MPhil, and an MSc with Distinction in Systems Engineering. He brings deep expertise in complex systems integration and real-time signal processing to the engineering challenge of deploying quantum authentication at global manufacturing scale.
David Howrath
Chief Technology Officer
David joined Quantum Base from BAE Systems, where he was Senior Engineering Manager responsible for Performance and Strategy across Maritime Submarines, and holds an MEng in Computer Systems, an MPhil, and an MSc with Distinction in Systems Engineering. He brings deep expertise in complex systems integration and real-time signal processing to the engineering challenge of deploying quantum authentication at global manufacturing scale.
David joined Quantum Base from BAE Systems, where he was Senior Engineering Manager responsible for Performance and Strategy across Maritime Submarines, and holds an MEng in Computer Systems, an MPhil, and an MSc with Distinction in Systems Engineering. He brings deep expertise in complex systems integration and real-time signal processing to the engineering challenge of deploying quantum authentication at global manufacturing scale.
James Kelly
Head of Software
James brings deep expertise in AI and computer vision, having led research at Passio AI where he developed cutting-edge neural network systems for real-world visual recognition applications. At Quantum Base he leads the software team building the algorithms and mobile SDK that turn a smartphone flash into the world's most secure authentication system.
James Kelly
Head of Software
James brings deep expertise in AI and computer vision, having led research at Passio AI where he developed cutting-edge neural network systems for real-world visual recognition applications. At Quantum Base he leads the software team building the algorithms and mobile SDK that turn a smartphone flash into the world's most secure authentication system.
James brings deep expertise in AI and computer vision, having led research at Passio AI where he developed cutting-edge neural network systems for real-world visual recognition applications. At Quantum Base he leads the software team building the algorithms and mobile SDK that turn a smartphone flash into the world's most secure authentication system.
Will Thom
Head of Materials Science
Will holds a PhD in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry, Nanotechnology and Biomaterials from the University of Cambridge, and brings over a decade of materials science experience spanning the Medical Research Council, healthcare innovation, and senior technology roles in industry. At Quantum Base he leads the materials science team responsible for the quantum-active inks that make Q-ID® physically possible, the atomic-level work that sits at the heart of everything the technology does.
Will Thom
Head of Materials Science
Will holds a PhD in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry, Nanotechnology and Biomaterials from the University of Cambridge, and brings over a decade of materials science experience spanning the Medical Research Council, healthcare innovation, and senior technology roles in industry. At Quantum Base he leads the materials science team responsible for the quantum-active inks that make Q-ID® physically possible, the atomic-level work that sits at the heart of everything the technology does.
Will holds a PhD in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry, Nanotechnology and Biomaterials from the University of Cambridge, and brings over a decade of materials science experience spanning the Medical Research Council, healthcare innovation, and senior technology roles in industry. At Quantum Base he leads the materials science team responsible for the quantum-active inks that make Q-ID® physically possible, the atomic-level work that sits at the heart of everything the technology does.
Professor Robert Young
Founder, Chief Scientist
Robert holds a Master's degree in physics from Oxford and a PhD in experimental quantum information processing from Cambridge. He founded Quantum Base at Lancaster University in 2015 after identifying that the quantum behaviour of printing ink could create an authentication fingerprint physically impossible to replicate. He has since built that insight into a 40+ patent portfolio and two billion products protected worldwide.
Robert holds a Master's degree in physics from Oxford and a PhD in experimental quantum information processing from Cambridge. He founded Quantum Base at Lancaster University in 2015 after identifying that the quantum behaviour of printing ink could create an authentication fingerprint physically impossible to replicate. He has since built that insight into a 40+ patent portfolio and two billion products protected worldwide.
Tom Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
Tom joined Quantum Base from Made Tech, where he drove growth from 30 to 500 people delivering multi-million pound contracts at UK Government clients including HMRC and the Home Office. He led Quantum Base through its IPO on the London Stock Exchange in 2025 and is focused on scaling Q-ID® into new markets and geographies.
Tom joined Quantum Base from Made Tech, where he drove growth from 30 to 500 people delivering multi-million pound contracts at UK Government clients including HMRC and the Home Office. He led Quantum Base through its IPO on the London Stock Exchange in 2025 and is focused on scaling Q-ID® into new markets and geographies.
David Howrath
Chief Technology Officer
David joined Quantum Base from BAE Systems, where he was Senior Engineering Manager responsible for Performance and Strategy across Maritime Submarines, and holds an MEng in Computer Systems, an MPhil, and an MSc with Distinction in Systems Engineering. He brings deep expertise in complex systems integration and real-time signal processing to the engineering challenge of deploying quantum authentication at global manufacturing scale.
David joined Quantum Base from BAE Systems, where he was Senior Engineering Manager responsible for Performance and Strategy across Maritime Submarines, and holds an MEng in Computer Systems, an MPhil, and an MSc with Distinction in Systems Engineering. He brings deep expertise in complex systems integration and real-time signal processing to the engineering challenge of deploying quantum authentication at global manufacturing scale.
James Kelly
Head of Software
James brings deep expertise in AI and computer vision, having led research at Passio AI where he developed cutting-edge neural network systems for real-world visual recognition applications. At Quantum Base he leads the software team building the algorithms and mobile SDK that turn a smartphone flash into the world's most secure authentication system.
James brings deep expertise in AI and computer vision, having led research at Passio AI where he developed cutting-edge neural network systems for real-world visual recognition applications. At Quantum Base he leads the software team building the algorithms and mobile SDK that turn a smartphone flash into the world's most secure authentication system.
Will Thom
Head of Materials Science
Will holds a PhD in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry, Nanotechnology and Biomaterials from the University of Cambridge, and brings over a decade of materials science experience spanning the Medical Research Council, healthcare innovation, and senior technology roles in industry. At Quantum Base he leads the materials science team responsible for the quantum-active inks that make Q-ID® physically possible, the atomic-level work that sits at the heart of everything the technology does.
Will holds a PhD in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry, Nanotechnology and Biomaterials from the University of Cambridge, and brings over a decade of materials science experience spanning the Medical Research Council, healthcare innovation, and senior technology roles in industry. At Quantum Base he leads the materials science team responsible for the quantum-active inks that make Q-ID® physically possible, the atomic-level work that sits at the heart of everything the technology does.
Professor Robert Young
Founder, Chief Scientist
Robert holds a Master's degree in physics from Oxford and a PhD in experimental quantum information processing from Cambridge. He founded Quantum Base at Lancaster University in 2015 after identifying that the quantum behaviour of printing ink could create an authentication fingerprint physically impossible to replicate. He has since built that insight into a 40+ patent portfolio and two billion products protected worldwide.
Robert holds a Master's degree in physics from Oxford and a PhD in experimental quantum information processing from Cambridge. He founded Quantum Base at Lancaster University in 2015 after identifying that the quantum behaviour of printing ink could create an authentication fingerprint physically impossible to replicate. He has since built that insight into a 40+ patent portfolio and two billion products protected worldwide.
Tom Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
Tom joined Quantum Base from Made Tech, where he drove growth from 30 to 500 people delivering multi-million pound contracts at UK Government clients including HMRC and the Home Office. He led Quantum Base through its IPO on the London Stock Exchange in 2025 and is focused on scaling Q-ID® into new markets and geographies.
Tom joined Quantum Base from Made Tech, where he drove growth from 30 to 500 people delivering multi-million pound contracts at UK Government clients including HMRC and the Home Office. He led Quantum Base through its IPO on the London Stock Exchange in 2025 and is focused on scaling Q-ID® into new markets and geographies.
David Howrath
Chief Technology Officer
David joined Quantum Base from BAE Systems, where he was Senior Engineering Manager responsible for Performance and Strategy across Maritime Submarines, and holds an MEng in Computer Systems, an MPhil, and an MSc with Distinction in Systems Engineering. He brings deep expertise in complex systems integration and real-time signal processing to the engineering challenge of deploying quantum authentication at global manufacturing scale.
David joined Quantum Base from BAE Systems, where he was Senior Engineering Manager responsible for Performance and Strategy across Maritime Submarines, and holds an MEng in Computer Systems, an MPhil, and an MSc with Distinction in Systems Engineering. He brings deep expertise in complex systems integration and real-time signal processing to the engineering challenge of deploying quantum authentication at global manufacturing scale.
James Kelly
Head of Software
James brings deep expertise in AI and computer vision, having led research at Passio AI where he developed cutting-edge neural network systems for real-world visual recognition applications. At Quantum Base he leads the software team building the algorithms and mobile SDK that turn a smartphone flash into the world's most secure authentication system.
James brings deep expertise in AI and computer vision, having led research at Passio AI where he developed cutting-edge neural network systems for real-world visual recognition applications. At Quantum Base he leads the software team building the algorithms and mobile SDK that turn a smartphone flash into the world's most secure authentication system.
Will Thom
Head of Materials Science
Will holds a PhD in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry, Nanotechnology and Biomaterials from the University of Cambridge, and brings over a decade of materials science experience spanning the Medical Research Council, healthcare innovation, and senior technology roles in industry. At Quantum Base he leads the materials science team responsible for the quantum-active inks that make Q-ID® physically possible, the atomic-level work that sits at the heart of everything the technology does.
Will holds a PhD in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry, Nanotechnology and Biomaterials from the University of Cambridge, and brings over a decade of materials science experience spanning the Medical Research Council, healthcare innovation, and senior technology roles in industry. At Quantum Base he leads the materials science team responsible for the quantum-active inks that make Q-ID® physically possible, the atomic-level work that sits at the heart of everything the technology does.
Backed by
Listed in London. Spun out of one of the UK's top physics departments. 41 patents granted. Member of every relevant industry body.
Listed in London. Spun out of one of the UK's top physics departments. 41 patents granted. Member of every relevant industry body.
Credibility,
on the record
LON:QUBE
Listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Lancaster
Active research partnership with Lancaster University since 2015.
40+
Patents granted across Q-ID® materials, hardware, and software.
3 bodies
Member of ACG, ITSA, and BPIF, the three industry associations that matter.
In the press
Covered by
people you trust
Covered by
people you trust
Selected coverage from the past three years across business, broadcast, and physics press.
Selected coverage from the past three years across business, broadcast, and physics press.
FORBES
Goodbye Passwords, Hello ‘Unbreakable’ Quantum IDs Containing 1,000 Trillion Atoms
NATURE.COM
Using Quantum Confinement to Uniquely Identify Devices
BBC
BBC Tomorrow's World feature on atom-scale identification with Quantum Base's technology
IOP SCIENCE
Optical identification using imperfections in 2D materials
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If you are looking to secure new revenue on the press you already own or protecting your brand from counterfeits and gray market activities, find out more now.
If you are looking to secure new revenue on the press you already own or protecting your brand from counterfeits and gray market activities, find out more now.
Atomic-level anti-counterfeiting, born in a Lancaster physics lab.
LSE: QUBE
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© 2026 Quantum Base Ltd. All rights reserved.
© 2026 Quantum Base Ltd. All rights reserved.