The Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, will participate in the international project BLAST – Battery-Compatible Hybrid Quantum-Light Platform for Secure Data Transmission over Telecom Links, approved under the EIC Pathfinder Open 2026 call within the Horizon Europe programme.

The total project budget is €4.04 million, with a planned duration of 48 months.

EIC Pathfinder is one of the most prestigious funding instruments of the European Innovation Council, supporting high-risk, potentially groundbreaking scientific ideas and the development of next-generation technologies.

BLAST – New Technologies for Secure Quantum Communication

The BLAST project aims to develop an innovative quantum-photonic platform for secure data transmission, compatible with existing telecommunications infrastructure. Its objective is to develop compact, energy-efficient sources of non-classical light capable of operating at room temperature, without the need for complex cooling systems.

The proposed technology integrates flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), luminescent microparticles, layered semiconductor materials and photonic components into a single platform. A key innovation lies in the use of multifunctional microparticles that enable controlled emitter activation, spectral conversion and enhancement of local optical fields.

The development of these technologies could open new opportunities for quantum-secure communication via optical fibres, as well as future satellite-based and other communication systems.

The Role of the Vinča Institute

The Vinča Institute's research team is led by Dr. Jasmina Grbović Novaković, Principal Research Fellow, and the project also builds on the research expertise developed within the CONVINCE Centre of Excellence.

The project is coordinated by Dr Snežana Lazić from the Autonomous University of Madrid (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain). The international consortium brings together eight partners from five countries – Serbia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy and France – including leading European universities, research institutes and innovative companies.

The approval of BLAST represents a significant achievement for the Vinča Institute, confirming the scientific excellence and international competitiveness of its researchers in the fields of advanced materials and quantum technologies.