Zero Point Cryogenics and Ability Engineering Technology Anchor IQMP FaQtory in Chicago
Zero Point Cryogenics and Ability Engineering Technology Anchor IQMP FaQtory in Chicago
Following the federal funding rollout for The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub, the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) has secured its first two physical supply-chain tenants: Edmonton-based dilution refrigerator manufacturer Zero Point Cryogenics (ZPC) and Illinois-based precision engineering firm Ability Engineering Technology (AET). Both companies will establish operational footprints at the IQMP FaQtory—a specialized campus facility designed under The Bloch umbrella to house component suppliers, fabricators, and hardware developers alongside anchor quantum computing firms. Supported by state tax incentive programs, these dual expansions mark the first practical steps toward building a localized Midwest quantum manufacturing supply chain.
[ IQMP FaQtory Tenant Matrix ]
Anchor Campus ──► Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP, Chicago, IL). Facility Hub ──► The IQMP FaQtory (Supported by EDA Tech Hubs & State Quantum Funds). Tenant 1 (ZPC) ──► Zero Point Cryogenics (U.S. Innovation & Service Hub / MICRO Act). Tenant 2 (AET) ──► Ability Engineering Technology (R&D Satellite Office / EDGE Program). Core Capabilities ──► Ultra-low-temp dilution fridges, vacuum chambers, & rapid prototyping.
Zero Point Cryogenics Establishes First U.S. Hub
Spun out of low-temperature physics research at the University of Alberta in 2017, Zero Point Cryogenics designs and builds custom “cryogen-free” (dry) dilution refrigerators. These ultra-low-temperature systems are essential infrastructure for superconducting and spin-qubit architectures, keeping physical hardware near absolute zero during operation. Supported by the state’s Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act, ZPC will establish its first U.S. location at the IQMP:
Operations & Workforce: The Chicago facility will host ZPC’s U.S. research and development, sales, installation, and field service operations, creating over 20 specialized engineering jobs in Illinois.
On-Campus Support: ZPC will provide direct maintenance, rapid hardware integration, and technical service to neighboring quantum computing developers and research labs across North America.
Global Footprint: While ZPC’s primary manufacturing remains anchored in Alberta, Canada, the Chicago hub serves as its main U.S. service center.
Ability Engineering Technology Modernizes Operations & IQMP Presence
Precision engineering firm Ability Engineering Technology (AET)—headquartered in South Holland, Illinois, since 1947—is expanding its advanced manufacturing footprint through a two-location investment supported by the state’s Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) program. AET specializes in engineered-to-order process equipment for cryogenic, vacuum, and high-pressure industrial applications:
IQMP Satellite Office: AET will open a new R&D satellite office at the IQMP FaQtory focused on rapid prototyping, small-scale fabrication, equipment modification, and workforce training directly alongside quantum hardware developers.
South Holland Plant Modernization: In parallel, AET is upgrading its existing 35,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in South Holland with structural improvements, advanced handling cranes, and new workflow machinery.
Incentives & Investment: Under the EDGE agreement, AET has committed to investing at least $1.8 million, creating five new full-time positions, and retaining 23 existing manufacturing jobs.
Translating Federal Tech Hub Capital into Localized Infrastructure
The dual announcements were made by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker during the second annual Global Quantum Forum in Chicago. Backed by $500 million in state funding for the IQMP, $200 million for the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), and federal support from the U.S. EDA Tech Hubs initiative, the addition of ZPC and AET establishes a localized supply chain for custom cryogenic hardware and precision vacuum engineering across the Midwest.
By co-locating custom cryogenic hardware makers and precision vacuum engineers directly next door to anchor hardware developers (including IBM, PsiQuantum, Infleqtion, Pasqal, Diraq, and Quantum Machines), the IQMP FaQtory aims to shorten hardware iteration cycles and reduce reliance on overseas component sourcing.
Review official tenant expansion details on the IQMP News Portal here, explore state executive announcements on the Illinois State Release Portal here, Illinois DCEO Hub here, and Illinois EDC Portal here, examine corporate expansion details via Zero Point Cryogenics here, and explore our previous coverage of the IQMP & CQE State Investments here and the Bloch Tech Hub EDA Federal Funding here.
July 25, 2026
Mohamed Abdel-Kareem2026-07-25T08:18:16-07:00
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