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AI Fuses With Quantum Computing in Promising New Memristor – IEEE Spectrum
Recent years have seen computing advance in two major ways—breakthroughs in machine learning to develop algorithms that improve automatically through experience, and research into quantum computers that can theoretically prove more powerful than any supercomputer. Now scientists have created the first prototype of a device known as a quantum memristor, which might help bring together the best of both of those worlds—combining artificial intelligence with quantum computing for unprecedented capabilities.
IBM’s CEO wants to chart quantum-fueled, AI-powered path to the future – Techcrunch.com
When Arvind Krishna took over as CEO at IBM in April 2020, the world was immersed in the initial throes of the COVID pandemic and his company was struggling. It had spent the better part of a decade reporting declining revenue and it desperately needed a change in direction. Whatever IBM had been doing, it wasn’t working all that well. He certainly had his work cut out for him.
China Competition Fears Point to AI Training, Quantum Encryption – Bloomberg Law
A House committee approved legislation to bolster US competition with China in artificial intelligence and quantum computing with bipartisan support Wednesday. China is beating the US in AI, quantum computing, and 5G, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said at a House Oversight and Reform Committee markup.
“If China were to in fact dominate in these three critical areas of future technology, we are handing over our future to the Chinese,” Connolly said.
The committee approved a bill targeting contracting officers’ understanding of artificial intelligence and a separate measure to strengthen federal encryption standards against quantum threats. Both were advanced by voice …
Pentagon’s Outgoing Data Boss Warns of Quantum Cyber Threats – Bloomberg
The U.S. Department of Defense’s outgoing chief data officer called for the Pentagon to make urgent investments to defend against potential espionage from quantum computers — nascent technology that could one day break the encryption that protects American secrets.
‘The Big Money Is Here’: The Arms Race to Quantum Computing – Haaretz
BT and Toshiba trial commercial quantum-secured network – IT News
Britain’s BT and Japan’s Toshiba launched a commercial trial of a quantum-secured network that will block vulnerabilities in encryption that will emerge when quantum computing becomes mainstream.
NATO Completes Quantum-Safe Comms Test – InfoSecurity Magazine
‘Quantum hair’ could resolve Hawking’s black hole paradox, say scientists – The Guardian
Israel’s First Quantum Computer Developed at Weizmann Institute – Haaretz
Researchers from Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science announced that they have succeeded in developing a quantum computer – one of only about 30 such computers in the world. As a tribute to Israel’s first computer WEIZAC, which was dedicated at the Weizmann Institute in 1955, the first Israeli quantum computer will be called WeizQC.
Quantum leap: Has next-gen computing moved from hype to hope? – The Sydney Morning Herald
Australian scientists believe they have taken a key step towards building a silicon quantum computer – a device that could take quantum computing from hype to mainstream.
JPMorgan unveils research on quantum resistant blockchain network – Cointelegraph
A new gravity sensor used atoms’ weird quantum behavior to peer underground – Science News
Inside a quantum gravity sensor, a cloud of supercooled atoms is dropped down a chute. A pulse of light then splits each of the falling atoms into a superposition state — a quantum limbo where each atom exists in two places at once (SN: 11/7/19). Due to their slightly different positions in Earth’s gravitational field, the two versions of each atom feel a different downward tug as they fall. Another light pulse then recombines the split atoms.
A new look at quantum radar suggests it might boost accuracy more than thought – Phys.org News
Researchers from the University of Arizona and MIT have suggested that quantum radar might be able to boost the accuracy of radar systems more than has been thought. Their findings reveal a new way of using entanglement to boost the accuracy of current systems by up to 500 percent. Despite this, the researchers have acknowledged that developing a quantum radar system still requires major technical advancements.
Alphabet to spin out quantum company after Google’s time crystal breakthrough – The Next Web
Following a breakthrough in developing time crystals, a new phase of matter which does not lose or use any energy, Alphabet will spin out quantum computing initiative Sandbox Technology. Previously an incubated venture, this company will exist alongside sister companies such as Google and DeepMind. This is a rare occurrence in the world of big tech and signals that the business side of quantum computing is maturing.
Quantum computing in silicon hits 99 percent accuracy – Science Daily
Researchers at UNSW have proven that near error-free quantum computing is possible in silicon-based processors. While all existing computers deploy some form of error correction and data redundancy, the laws of quantum physics pose restrictions on how correction takes place in quantum computers. An error rate of below 1 percent is needed to apply quantum error correction protocols. Having achieved this, researchers are one step closer to building quantum computers with enough scale to perform useful, practical computations.
Quantum computing use cases are getting real — what you need to know – McKinsey Digital
Management consulting firm McKinsey and Company predicts that useable quantum computing systems may be launched as early as 2030, noting the potential for enormous productivity and efficiency gains across diverse industries. This article urges industry decision-makers to immediately begin planning how they might use quantum computing to optimise their operations. While this technology will take time to mature, cloud-based quantum computing services are already available and may be the main way for early users to experiment with it.
Sensor based on quantum physics could detect SARS-CoV-2 virus – MIT News
A new approach to testing for the virus that causes COVID-19 may lead to tests that are quicker, more accurate and less expensive than existing detection methods. This approach makes use of nanodiamonds which are sensitive to minute perturbations, owing to quantum effects taking place in the diamond’s crystal lattice. By treating these nanodiamonds with a coating, they can bond with a specific RNA sequence of the coronavirus. The disruption caused would be detectable by a laser-based optical sensor, indicating a positive infection. Though still theoretical, this approach could be a revolutionary new way to diagnose viral infections.
Semiconductors reach the quantum world – Science Daily
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and Cornell University have identified a composite material that could integrate quantum devices into semi-conductor technology, making electronic components significantly more powerful. Quantum effects have already been proven to occur in superconductors – materials in which the electrical resistance disappears when they are cooled below a certain temperature. To find possible successors to today’s semiconductors, scientists are investigating layered systems of superconducting and semiconducting materials, so-called heterojunctions. These could lend themselves to a new form of semiconductor that embeds and exploits the quantum effects that happen in superconductors.
Cryptocurrency faces a quantum computing problem – CNET
The advancement of quantum computing will have enormous ramifications for cryptocurrencies. Computer security experts predict that public key cryptography, the method which secures cryptocurrency transactions, will eventually become obsolete. Hypothetically, if an attacker broke this encryption they could impersonate the owners of cryptocurrencies, NFTs and other digital assets, thereby undermining trust in the entire blockchain system. In response to this problem, the computing industry is developing new kinds of post-quantum cryptography algorithms.
Morrison spruiks Australia’s potential in quantum technology – The Conversation
PM Scott Morrison’s government has unveiled a plan to invest over $100 million in a quantum commercialisation hub to bolster Australia’s competitiveness in the field. The initiative aims to foster partnerships with “like-minded countries”, such as the United States, which could potentially provide new markets and investors for Australian companies developing quantum technologies. Sharing information and resources signals that Australia and its allies are consciously competing against rivals in this hotly contested space.
First quantum computer to pack 100 qubits enters crowded race – Nature
IBM has just announced that it has created a quantum-computing chip that can pack in 127 qubits – the first device to reach 3 digits. However, the industry has a long way to go before it can develop a quantum computer that has the capacity to outperform a classical computer in practical tasks such as simulating drug molecules or materials. Better solutions for the arrangement of qubits and error correction are required before quantum computers have commercial applications in areas like pharmaceuticals and finance.
Quantum computing could be an unexpected tool to help battle climate change – Nature
Several areas of impact for climate change are emerging from quantum science and technology research. Quantum simulation and optimization capabilities could be used to design solutions for climate change and provide relief for power-hungry computations.
Triple entanglement in silicon marks major quantum computer breakthrough – New Atlas
A team of researchers at RIKEN in Japan successfully entangled three silicon qubits together — enabling faster data transfer and improving error correction. Their results have been published in Nature Nanotechnology.
Test quantum mechanics in space — invest US$1 billion – Nature
What’s the border between quantum and classical reality and where does this shift take place? Scientists have been testing this with larger and larger particles, but gravity has been one of the main limitations, as the particles are only measurable until they fall to the bench. In this nature article, scientists outline a detailed pitch for expanding quantum physics research in space where many of these limitations don’t exist.
This quantum crystal could be a new dark matter sensor – Phys.Org
While it is thought that 85% of the universe is made of dark matter, we don’t know much about what dark matter is or what it’s made of. Physicists from the National Institute of Standards have created a quantum sensor consisting of 150 beryllium ions, which would be 10 times the sensitivity of any previously demonstrated atomic sensor. The success of this experiment could allow us to unveil the mystery of dark matter and how subatomic particles interact with normal matter.
Scientists Just Simulated Quantum Technology on Classical Computing Hardware – Science Alert
While the field of quantum is still in its infancy, how do we guard against overhyped quantum marketing without quantum computers to test their claims? Physicists from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and Columbia University have used machine learning to approximate a quantum system on a classical computer. Known as the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm, they are able to predict and solve quantum errors without needing to run them on expensive or otherwise unavailable quantum computers. This innovation should take a bit of the risk out of quantum investment, and aid the creation of future quantum technology.
Money’s quantum time bomb – Financial Times
Our current modes of encryption are believed to become obsolete once quantum computing arrives, making all communication and digital economic infrastructure vulnerable to attacks. Not everyone in the cryptography world are as concerned by quantum computing and there is a sizeable cohort that believe standard encryption will stand the test against a quantum attack. This article attempts to take stock of the technology, marketing and paranoia surrounding the field of quantum cryptography.
New Type of Quantum Memory Device Created – Technology Networks
The field of AI called neuromorphic computing seeks to mimic the functionality of the human brain, but it is hamstrung by the limitations of conventional computer technology. This week, Scientists from the University of California and the University of Paris have designed a ‘nanoconstriction spintronic resonator’ which combines both quantum materials and spintronic magnetic devices to store and process information similar to synapses and neurons in the brain. This new device could be a fundamental advance in artificial intelligence as it provides a potential node for creating an artificial brain.
Eternal Change for No Energy: A Time Crystal Finally Made Real – Quantum Magazine
Since 2015, physicists have strived to create a “time crystal” – an object whose parts move in a repeating cycle without burning any energy. This week, Google’s quantum computer demonstrated a genuine “time crystal” while a separate group created a time crystal in a diamond. While the practical applications of such a baffling technology are still disputed, it is part of a unique change in our understanding of time in physics.
China demonstrates most powerful quantum computer – Cosmos
Google achieved the milestone of quantum advantage in 2019, but two years afterwards, Google’s competitors are surging ahead. This week, a Chinese research team from the University of Science and Technology of China in Shanghai have used their Zuchongzhi photonic quantum computer to solve a task in 1.2 hours that would take the most powerful supercomputer eight years. Their problem was around 100 times more challenging by the one solved by Google’s Sycamore, and demonstrates that increasing the number of qubits can improve a processor’s performance exponentially.
This quantum computer with a 3D chip is heading into the cloud – ZDnet
Superconducting quantum computers are typically built in an intricately wired two-dimensional plane, and with more qubits we see more wiring and environment noise. Oxford Quantum Circuits, A startup from the University of Oxford, are working on a three-dimensional architecture that moves the wiring out of the plane and allows more flexibility in system engineering. This new design approach has the potential to make it easier to scale up the number of qubits on the processor without losing coherence.
Quantum Computing and Healthcare – Forbes
Can quantum computing revitalize the healthcare industry, turning it into a system that is predictive and preventative rather than reactive and delayed? From virtual environments to genetics and genomics, Gary Fowler lays out the potential effects of quantum computing on healthcare. The question remains whether the structural issues facing healthcare have a technological fix.
Quantum Computing just got desktop sized – Redshark News
Currently, there are around 50 different quantum computers, and they all use different software. Thanks to a Cambridge University-led consortium, we now have Deltaflow.OS, an operating system that allows the same quantum software to run on completely different kinds of quantum hardware. The most impressive feature compared to other Operating Systems, is that Deltaflow is available on a chip the size of a penny, which is a much more commercially viable and practical option.
Manufacturing breakthrough paves the way for gigantic quantum computers – TechRadar
While types of quantum computers currently exist, they need to grow in size in order to attain the processing power needed for them to overtake classical computers. This week, Rigetti Computing created a manufacturing breakthrough with the first multi-chip quantum processor which is modular; meaning it’s architecture allows it to be scaled up easily. This development has allowed the company to build quantum capacity much faster, as they’re now looking to use the system to construct an 80-qubit quantum computer.
AI Designs Quantum Physics Experiments Beyond What Any Human Has Conceived – Scientific American
Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing have evolved as symbiotic technologies, but this week the relationship has evolved in ways we never predicted. Scientists at the University of Vienna have used a machine-learning algorithm called THESEUS in a unique research approach; using AI to analyze quantum physics experiments. The AI is able to adapt, find patterns and solve problems in ways that would otherwise have seemed nonsensical to human scientists and they hope that one day it will truly create brand new concepts itself.
Fraunhofer Goes Quantum: IBM’s Quantum System One Comes to Europe – HPC Wire
IBM has just delivered it’s IBM Quantum System One computer to Germany, which until now had only existed in IBM’s New York data center. Housed in Europe’s largest research organization Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the new quantum computer is ready to help European businesses become quantum-ready. While this is a big step in consolidating market share for IBM, it also serves to democratize the quantum industry, by making quantum computers locally available to countries outside of the US.
Talking Quantum Dots Could be Used as Qubits – Physics World
Since quantum dots have been shown to absorb, exchange and store energy when interacting with each other, there is a possibility of using them for quantum computing. Researchers at the Helmholtz Centre for Materials and Energy in Germany have modelled these quantum-dot interactions, mapping out a diverse array of real-world applications. The potential application of these dots is mind-blowing, from replacement qubits in quantum computers, to becoming photocatalysts as a carbon-free fuel source.
Scientists Just Recorded A Brain Signal Using Quantum Technology – Interesting Engineering
The magnetic fields in the brain are very weak, and technology has to be very sensitive in order to pick up the signals. This week, researchers at the University of Sussex have developed a quantum brain scanner that has successfully captured a brain signal. Since their proprietary system is modular, it should be easy to scale it up, connecting multiple sensors together and perform an entire brain scan
Quantum leap for medical research as microscope zooms in on tiny structures – The Guardian
One of the most common problems in imaging tiny structures is the distortion of the image from fluctuations of environmental noise in the background. This problem gets worse the smaller the structure gets. Scientists at the University of Queensland have overcome this problem by using quantum entanglement to reduce random light fluctuations within an image. This new microscope could be a game changer in biological and medical microscopy, since we no longer have to rely on intense light levels and harsh lasers to control light.
Insulators turn up the heat on quantum bits – Science Daily
Ion trap computers are one of the leading forms of quantum computing, but they are also vulnerable to environmental noise. Physicists from the University of Innsbruck have found a way to quantify the influence of dielectric materials on ion trap computers, allowing them to calculate the amount of noise interfering with their machine. This development is the first step towards identifying and eliminating these noise sources and creating error-free quantum computers.
Quasiprobabilities shed light on quantum advantage – Physics World
While probability governs many aspects of our world, certain quantum observable effects are only governed by “quasiprobabilities”. Utilizing these quasiprobailities that can assume negative and non-real values, researchers from the University of Toronto have developed a system to calculate which experiments are likely to exhibit quantum advantage. This novel use of quasiprobabilities can help us better understand the road to quantum advantage and gives us more practical applications for non-classical forms of probability.
Quantum memory crystals are a step towards a futuristic internet – New Scientist
As progress is being made towards creating a functioning quantum computer, scientists are realising that without a quantum internet, individual computers aren’t quite as useful. A team at the Institute of Photonic Sciences in Spain have used yttrium othrosilicate crystals to store pairs of entangled photos, which allow devices up to 5kms apart to communicate. This experiment successfully utilized already existing fibre-optic cables, which is a great step forward for a quantum internet that doesn’t rely on exorbitant investment.
Quantum Computing and Sensing: Engineers Demonstrate a Quantum Advantage – EurekAlert
Since Quantum computing is still in its infancy, it’s not always easy to make the case that quantum will be better than classical computing with the technology we currently have. A team at Arizona College of Engineering has become one of the few groups to demonstrate quantum advantage by proving that quantum sensors are less error-prone than classical sensors. This experiment sets them up to expand quantum sensor technology, with the novel idea of using their chip to detect disease or harmful chemicals in water.
Chinese Researchers Construct a Multiplexed Quantum Repeater Based on Absorptive Quantum Memories – SciTech Daily
When transmitting quantum entanglement between two remote locations, the transmission loss of optical fibre has limited the distance of a quantum internet to just 100km. A team of researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China has been able to create a prototype quantum repeater, which would increase the distance of quantum internet indefinitely. This prototype serves as a roadmap for the development of practical quantum repeaters and lays the foundation for high-speed quantum networks.
Using the environment to control quantum devices – EurekAlert
Quantum computers have long been plagued by the effects of the environmental noise on fragile quantum states. Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design have turned this problem on it’s head, and begun documenting how the environment can aid certain quantum states. They found that quantum states can be changed when exposed to specific environments to the benefit of quantum researchers. While this is still a theoretical discovery, it provides the fundamental knowledge and tools for using environmental noise.
Amazon Braket Introduces Quantum Circuit Noise Simulator, DM1 – HPC Wire
Programmers and quantum researchers constantly need to test their quantum algorithms, but quantum machines are often expensive to access. Amazon Braket has just introduced a Quantum Circuit Noise Simulator that can simulate quantum circuits and allow researchers to investigate their potential issues and inform their error mitigation strategies. This move makes quantum computing more accessible, as preliminary experiments and tests can be perfected before it is run through a proper quantum machine.
Coiling Python Around Hybrid Quantum Systems – Next Platform
While scientists are still testing and evolving quantum computers, one of the major hurdles in nascent quantum technology is the lack of a universal software system. Scientists from Oak Ridge National Lab have built an extension onto the conventional coding language ‘python’, creating a simplified and familiar way to use quantum computers. This core Pythonic infrastructure should serve as a foundation for rapid experimentation, the only question is whether developers will take it up.
CMOS controller for quantum computer operates at 3 K – Physics World
Most competing quantum computers require very low temperatures to function, but the conventional wires that connect them don’t function at those temperatures. A team of researchers from the Delft University of Technology have circumvented this issue by creating an electronic device that functions at cryogenic temperatures to control quantum chips. While most of the focus is on creating warmer quantum chips, the alternative presented by these scientists could help us solve many quantum hurdles.
Quantum Key Distribution could seal the 5G rift with China, say engineers – ZDnet
The expulsion of Huawei-made equipment from western countries is another technological casualty of rising geopolitical tensions. Now, engineers are claiming that they can avoid these security threats and establish trust between countries through Quantum Key Distribution. This quantum technological fix could stabilize relations between countries and may inspire more open collaboration in the future.
Dutch startup QphoX raises €2M to connect quantum computers with a quantum modem – Yahoo! News
While quantum computing promises to revolutionize society, they won’t be of much use without a quantum internet to connect them. A Dutch startup named QphoX has just raised €2 million to connect quantum computers with their “quantum modem”. Their attempt to produce a commercially viable quantum modem could boost the development of quantum advantage by combining separate quantum processors.
Researchers test new approach to quantum-secured communication in space – Australian Defence
One of the most promising applications for quantum technology is seen within the fields of communications and defence. Researchers from Canada and the UK are developing the Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite that will allow the transmission of unbreakable keys for securing information. While this project will offer considerable defence benefits to Canada and the UK, it will also build our knowledge of satellite-based quantum technologies in General.
Australia is losing its quantum edge: ASPI – Innovation Aus
Australia has been an unexpected leader in the quantum race, but a new paper by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute claims that we’re falling behind. The report suggests making quantum the core of national technology strategy, creating a new minister for emerging technologies, and a new national quantum initiative. If these recommendations are taken onboard, we could see quantum transforming from an academic field of research to a state-wide technological industry.
Quantum Entanglement Has Now Been Directly Observed at a Larger Macroscopic Scale – Science Alert
If we describe a pair of aluminium drums as “one-fifth the width of a human hair”, we’d regard it as small, but in the quantum world it’s absolutely huge. Scientists from the National Institute of Standards have successfully demonstrated entanglement between these relatively ‘large’ aluminium drums. This experiment has changed the way we view quantum phenomena, as the laws of quantum physics slowly start to bleed into the macroscopic realm.
Why AWS could own the future of quantum computing – Next Platform
While the quantum race generally focuses on states and companies engaging in research, the real winner could be the companies offering accessibility and service for the quantum innovations of others. Amazon could come out on top of the quantum race by leveraging its knowledge and past successes in building a multi-platform for machine learning through Amazon Web Services. This new form of quantum competitor could drastically change the trajectory of the quantum race.
Chinese team designs 62-qubit quantum processor with world’s largest number of superconducting qubits – ECNS
A team of researchers from China’s University of Science and Technology have successfully designed a 62-quibit programmable superconducting quantum processor. Named after a 5th century Chinese mathematician, the Zu Chongzhi has more qubits than Google’s 53-qubit Sycamore, and is not limited to processing just one task. The creation of this new computer puts China in a formidable position in the quantum race.
Quantum positioning system could fill GPS gaps for aviation – GPS World
While GPS has proved to be a revolutionary technology for all forms of navigation, there are critical instances when these signals are unavailable or disrupted. The High-BIAS2 (high-bandwidth inertial atom source) project has announced new milestones that have advanced the development of a ‘quantum positioning system’. This new technology will be a huge step forward in showcasing the power of quantum sensors which could be used across aerospace, autonomous vehicle and oil and gas excavation.
Goldman Sachs predicts quantum computing 5 years away from use in markets – Financial Times
We’ve been eagerly awaiting practical applications for quantum computing, but it might be coming to the commercial sector earlier than expected. According to research conducted by Goldman Sachs and quantum start-up QC Ware, companies have turned their attention to trying to use imperfect quantum computers instead of waiting for the perfect, future quantum systems. They believe current quantum technology could provide a marginal practical improvement in the near-term, and potentially be applicable to other fields such as aerospace and automotive.
Spin Defects Under Control: Improved Materials for Quantum Sensor Technology – SciTech Daily
We rely on specific materials for quantum sensor technology, and Boron nitride is a particularly dynamic one. A team from the University of Wurzburg has improved on this wonder material, by developing a method for controlling it’s spin defects, even at room temperature. While the search for the best quantum material is not yet complete, this study delivers us a new candidate that offers easy integration possibilities in electronics.
New Superconducting Thermometer Can Accelerate Quantum Computer Development – SciTech Daily
A key component in quantum computers are coaxial cables and waveguides which need to remain at very precise temperatures to avoid interference. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed a simple, quick and accurate thermometer that can monitor these temperatures at the quantum level. While providing a useful benchmark for quantum computers, the thermometer could also prove to be pivotal for the theoretical development of quantum thermodynamics.
KT releases new technology for easy application of quantum cryptography communication with smartphone app – Aju Daily
While quantum computing is generally seen as a distant dream, there are components of quantum computing that are practical and commercially viable today. This week KT, a major telecom company in South Korea has released a smartphone application that utilizes Quantum Key Distribution to encrypt messages. While this approach is technically a quantum hybrid, it is promising to see the successes of quantum computing while the technology is still in its infancy.
Quantum Astronomy could create telescopes hundreds of kilometers wide– Scientific American
In order to produce detailed images of space, large telescopes need to communicate with each other to construct and accurate image. Numerous scientists, including Jonathan Bland-Hawthorn from the University of Sydney, propose that quantum technology is necessary for building the connections between these telescopes. Check out this deep dive by Scientific American that explains the possibilities of quantum interferometry and how close we’ve come so far.
Quantum Photonics Breakthrough Promises a New Era of Powerful Optical Circuits – SciTech Daily
Photonic quantum circuits have so far been proven to be the most versatile on-demand photon generators, but there have been significant barriers to developing such circuits. Researchers from USC’s Monk Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science have shown that single photons can be emitted in a uniform way from quantum dots arranged in a precise pattern. This means that we should be able to precisely align uniform photons, which is a crucial step towards producing actual optical circuits
How a microscopic particle could improve your Sydney commute – Sydney Morning Herald
At the University of Sydney, the most powerful computer in the southern hemisphere has just been given an important practical task. In a collaboration with Transport for NSW, Sydney Quantum Startup Q-Ctrl is analyzing transport data, using quantum technology to solve traffic problems in real time. While this partnership currently stands as a test of quantum technology, it is expected that the results could revolutionize transport and make disruption issues a problem of the past.
Quantum computer based on shuttling ions is built by Honeywell – Physics World
20 years ago, scientists proposed a possible quantum charged coupled device (QCCD). This week, researchers at Honeywell have finally created the world’s first fully functional QCCD. What sets it apart from other quantum machines is the smaller number of Qubits that are fully connected with each other, instead of large numbers of Qubits set up to communicate with one qubit each. A functional QCCD has removed one of the primary barriers and demonstrated that we now have most of the key ingredients to create a million qubit machine
Quantum computing breakthrough could accelerate adoption by years – Tech Radar
One of the main impediments to the popular proliferation of quantum computing is it’s reliance on lab-based, resource intensive manufacturing processes. Quantum Motion, a UK-based startup has been able to manufacture quantum chips using the same manufacturing process commonly used to create the silicon chips in smartphones. This discovery has the potential to drastically speed up the arrival of practical, commercial quantum technology.
Quantum Computer has the edge for NP verification – Physics World
Although some of them are contested, there have been several recent milestones in demonstrating quantum advantage. This week a team of researchers based in France and the UK have shown that a quantum computer can solve an NP=complete problem in minutes where a classical computer would take years. This development could have immediate applications in quantum cloud computing, allowing rudimentary quantum machines to verify encrypted information.
UAE announces plans to build country’s first quantum computer – Data Center Dynamics
While the US and China are currently the leaders in the global quantum race, many smaller countries are attempting to unseat them. This week, the UAE announced plans to build its own quantum computer in collaboration with Barcelona-based Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech researchers. The plan, beginning with the production of ‘Made in Abu Dhabi’ quantum chips, could further diversify the geopolitical field on which the quantum race is played out.
World’s First Market-Ready Diamond-based Quantum Accelerator Coming to Pawsey Supercomputing Centre – HPC Wire
While one of the major hurdles of quantum computing is it’s necessity for sub-zero temperatures, but diamonds might be about to change that. Quantum Brilliance, and Australian venture-backed quantum computing startup from ANU will install the world’s first diamond quantum accelerator at the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre. This computer is a commercial, room-temperature machine which could pave the way towards practical, commercial quantum computing and cement Australia’s position as a quantum leader.
How Microsoft’s Quantum Boast Went Bust – Gizmodo
In the race to create a practical, quantum computer, many companies are trying unique approaches in the hopes that their technology will provide the groundwork for future computers.
While most tech companies like Google and IBM have attempted to build noisy experimental quantum prototypes out of superconducting qubits, Microsoft took a gamble on “majorana particles” as the basic building block of their computers. While no one has been able to successfully make a “majorana particle”. Microsoft is sticking the course and hoping their technology will pay off in the long run.
Kazuo Ishiguro and Venki Ramakrishnan: imagining a new humanity – Financial Times
In this discussion between Kazuo Ishiguro and Venki Ramakrishnan, the two Nobel laureates talk about the ethics of AI and gene-editing, the contested meaning of ‘truth’. The two thinkers weigh-in on an ethically fraught and exponentially growing field, one that threatens to go beyond not just our biological limitations, but our political and philosophical ones too.
New Quantum Sensor Allows Measurement, Manipulation of Qubits’ Material Defects – HPC Wide
While there are numerous superconducting qubits currently in use, scientists are still on the hunt for one that can be precisely measured and controlled while remaining shielded from its environment. Researchers from the National University of Science and Technology in Russia have created a quantum sensor that allows us to measure and manipulate defects in qubits. Being able to identify and control these defects would not only help us investigate the properties of superconducting materials more precisely, but allow us to control errors in future quantum computers.
BMW Chooses Honeywell Model H1 Quantum Computer And Entropica Labs For Supply Chain Quantum Proof-Of-Concept – Forbes
Managing a global supply chain is a complex task that has so far been imperfectly administered with conventional computers and many companies are looking to quantum prototypes to revolutionise their logistical systems. BMW, which ships over two million cars every year, has taken the first step by using Honeywell’s model H1 Quantum to create a proof of concept for quantum supply chain management. So far, the performance of the device is very close to it’s expected behavior and it could serve as a practical example for other companies to follow.
Smart quantum technology for the spatial mode correction of single photons – Tech Explorist
Much of quantum computing relies on spatial modes of light which are unfortunately vulnerable to environmental distortions, which are exacerbated at the single-photon level. While this problem has been addressed over the past 20 years, a new study from Louisiana State University has used artificial neurons to correct distortions much more efficiently than previously achieved. This new technique has enormous applications in optical communication and quantum cryptography.
Bacteria Know How to Exploit Quantum Mechanics to Steer Energy – Sci Tech Daily
While we understand that many organisms use photosynthesis to harvest light and produce energy, we have never fully understood the mechanics of the process. Researchers from the university of Chicago claim that quantum mechanics is at the heart of photosynthesis. By studying green sulphur bacteria, they discovered that the bacterium uses a quantum mechanical effect called ‘vibronic mixing’ to move energy through two different pathways, allowing it to guide energy where it needs to go. This phenomenon brings us a step closer to understanding photosynthesis as it is likely to be present in other organisms outside of green sulfur bacteria.
Watch: Using Quantum Computing to Optimize Shipping – Supply Chain Brain
While quantum computing does not offer many practical applications at this point, one of the foreseeable uses is in logistics. In this interview, the director of corporate strategic research at ExxonMobil and the general manager of IBM Systems Strategy and Development, outline how Quantum computing can be applied to optimize ship and vehicle routes.
Researchers Prove that Robots Learn Faster with Quantum Technology – HPC Wire
It is often assumed that the two burgeoning fields of AI and Quantum computing will have rely on each other to be able to fully develop, but there aren’t very many experiments bridging the gap. An international collaboration based at the University of Vienna has successfully proved for the first time that quantum can speed up a robot’s learning time. In demonstrating that machine learning can be enhanced by quantum computing, these scientists have made a great start to the future combination of these two technologies.
Interconnected single atoms could make a ‘quantum brain’ – Physics World
Since the advent of Artificial Intelligence, creating an artificial version of a human brain capable of learning, has only really existed as a pipe dream. Scientists at Radboud University have created an array of cobalt atoms on a substrate of black phosphorus that they claim could construct a “quantum brain”. The uniqueness of this project is that the learning process is implemented directly in the material, instead of a separate interface. If this system can be successfully scaled up to the 100 billion network of neurons in a human brain, then we might have achieved real, artificial intelligence.
Pivotal Discovery Could Open New Field of Quantum Technology Called “Magnonics” – Scitech Daily
Making magnons and microwave photons communicate with each other has been an alluring but evasive platform for quantum information processing. This week, scientists from the University of Chicago have been able to not only make these two quantum particles communicate but manipulate them in real time. The team’s discovery opens up new opportunities for mangon-based signal processing and could change the way information is transferred between different quantum systems.
Q-CTRL to take quantum tech to the Moon – Innovation Aus
As part of NASA’s Artemis program, the USYD based Q-CTRL will send its quantum technology to the moon. The technology in question is related to quantum sensing and navigation, which will be used to search for water and resources next year. This demonstrates Australia’s growing role in the quantum sector and could serve as the tipping point in making mars habitable.
Scientists induce artificial ‘magnetic texture’ in graphene – Science Daily
In order to produce electronics we’ve relied on the varied properties of different metals, but quantum science has just demonstrated that these specific properties can be completely rearranged. Graphene is a non-magnetic material making it essentially useless in electronics, but scientists at the University of Buffalo have completely turned this on its head. They were able to pair a magnet with graphene, and inducing what they call ‘artificial magnetic texture’ in the nonmagnetic graphene. Being able to rewrite the natural properties of metals could have huge applications in the future of electronics.
The search for dark matter gets a speed boost from quantum technology – Space.com
While originally proposed to explain the motion of galaxy clusters, physicists still have no idea what ‘dark matter’ is made of. While the HAYSTAC detector, located at Yale’s Write Laboratory, has spent years searching for dark matter, quantum computing has made the search much more promising. Using superconducting circuit technology in a process called “quantum squeezing”, the researchers allowed their detector to have double the bandwidth when searching for dark matter. It’s it could be a matter of time until quantum computing helps us reveal one of the biggest mysteries of the universe.
Quantum physics can mutate human DNA, scientists say – Futurism
While the practical applications of quantum computing are still relatively far-off, there is evidence to suggest quantum phenomena could have a serious impact on biological structures. When a subatomic particle vanishes and reappears elsewhere on the other side of a physical or energetic barrier, it’s called ‘quantum tunneling. According to research published by the University of Surrey, quantum tunneling protons could be responsible for mutations in DNA molecules. While there is still a lot to learn about how biological processes work on the subatomic level, this research demonstrates that quantum mechanics are at play.
Australian invention will see ‘transformational’ scaling up of quantum computers, experts say – ABC News
The ongoing collaboration between Microsoft and The University of Sydney has now unveiled a device that expands the potential of quantum computers from a few dozen qubits to thousands of qubits. While quantum computers need to run at minus 273 degrees, the chip that controls the computer runs at room temperature. The team of engineers invented a control chip that runs at the same temperature as the quantum computer and means that we can now increase the number of qubits without increasing the temperature of the computer.
Chinese Company Launches Origin Pilot (OS) for Quantum Computing – HPC Wire
This month, Chinese technology company Origin Tech, has launched its first home-grown operating system for quantum computers. The system supports a variety of quantum computers from superconducting quantum processors to ion trap quantum processors and hybrid quantum processors. The launch of this new operating system is part of China’s effort to be a global leader in quantum technology, along with achieving general technological independence from Western quantum computing projects.
Quantum leap: how we discovered a new way to create a hologram – The Conversation
Once in the domain of science fiction, holograms have moved into the mainstream due to the rapid development of laser technology. While holography currently boasts a myriad of practical applications ranging from data storage to medical imagery, a new technique called quantum holography promises to produce better quality biological images. This discovery from scientists at the University of Glasgow will potentially allow us to explore the previously unobserved biological mechanisms inside cells.
Chinese photonic quantum computer demonstrates quantum supremacy – Phys.org
China has made big news this month after demonstrating quantum supremacy with a photonic quantum computer. It took the Jiuzhang computer 200 seconds the carry out calculations that would take the world’s fastest classical computer 2.5 billions years to solve. While a similarly impressive feat was first achieved by Google’s Sycamore computer last year, the Sycamore device used superconducting materials that only function at -267 degrees, while the photonic Jiuzhang can operate at room temperature.
Experiment to test quantum gravity just got a bit less complicated – Science Daily
Out of the four fundamental forces in physics, only three of them can be described with quantum theory, while the fourth force (gravity) is only convincingly described by Einstein’s theory of general relativity. An international team of researchers, including a bachelor’s student, proposed placing two diamonds in free fall with entangled electrons inside them, and seeing if they can “cancel out gravity”. While this experiment is still in it’s early stages, it could prove to be the lynchpin for demonstrating quantum gravity and change theoretical physics forever.
A way to protect highly fragile quantum systems from noise – Tech Explorist
One of the key hurdles for developing quantum computers is how to stop environmental noise from breaking their entanglement. Scientists from University of Cambridge have accidentally stumbled upon a previously unknown symmetry in quantum systems to allow qubits to entangle and stabilize even in the presence of noise. The ability to preserve entangled pairs this way is a great incentive for further experimental developments in the field of quantum computing.
Amazon Is Laying the Groundwork for Its Own Quantum Computer – Bloomberg
Among the handful of powerful tech companies and ambitious startups building quantum computers, we can now add tech giant Amazon to the list. Given the enormous amounts of data processed by Amazon Web Services, it seems obvious that a quantum computer would be necessary, but their attempt to build one of their own is slightly less expected. This move further diversifies the burgeoning field of quantum computing and promises huge competition for Google and IBM.
Australia’s Archer and its plan for quantum world domination – Zdnet
While the battle for quantum supremacy rages between the US and China, Australia is becoming an unexpected contender in the race towards quantum computing. While we’re still in the very early stages of this new technology, Australian quantum materials company Archer is quite confident about it’s position in the future quantum marketplace. With a world-first, room-temperature qubit processor under construction, the company could propel Australia to the forefront of quantum research.
A Modem With a Tiny Mirror Cabinet Could Help Connect The Quantum Internet – ScienceAlert
The main difference between our current internet and a quantum internet, is that interfering with quantum data would break the connection, making it an essentially unhackable network. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute have developed a ‘mirror cabinet’ suitable for a quantum modem, that would act as the gateway between nodes in a quantum network. While there is still some work to be done before this modem moves from the lab to the real world, it’s a significant step towards an unhackable internet.
Scientists manipulate the properties of quantum dots – Phys.org
Quantum dots are one of the rare quantum technologies that currently have real-world applications.Researchers at the Laboratory of Nano-Bioengineering have manipulated the local electromagnetic environment of phosphors which boosts the intensity and emission rate of quantum dots. Having more powerful quantum dots will open up brand new applications for an already useful technology in the fields of bio-sensing, optoelectronics, cryptography and quantum computing.
Quantum engines with entanglement as fuel? – Science Daily
A typical car only converts 25% of the energy in gasoline, while engines running with 100% efficiency only exist in science fiction. Nonetheless, researchers from the University of Rochester have begun work on “quantum measurement engines” that will create engines that run with 100% efficiency through the principles of quantum mechanics. The project gets even weirder as they explore the possibility of using ‘entanglement’ as a fuel; where one half of the engine is in New York and the other half in California. These wild and exciting projects are just a single example of the enormous potential of the quantum revolution.
In New Milestone, Physicists Store And Transport Light Using Quantum Memory – Science Alert
Light is infamously difficult to store and transport, but being able to store light and transfer it to another location is vital for the future of quantum computing. Physicists from Mainz University have managed to put light “in a suitcase” made up of a cloud of cold atoms, transport it 1.2 millimeters and take it out again. While they registered very little impact on the light’s properties from the transfer process, the method still has a long way to go before it can revolutionize the data storing capabilities of quantum computers.
Toshiba targets $4.2bn revenue in quantum cryptography by 2030 – IT News
Another company is cashing in on currently available quantum technology, with Toshiba finding future growth drivers through quantum key distribution (QKD). Teaming up with US, British and South Korean companies, Toshiba plans to develop QKD infrastructure and generate US$3 billion by 2030. This marks yet another member in a long line of tech companies that are pivoting towards quantum technology.
D-Wave’s New Quantum Computer Is Inscrutable and Open for Business – Gizmodo
Quantum computers are still rudimentary and error prone, but there are multiple companies testing out commercial applications of their quantum devices, such as D-wave. The company recently announced their 5th generation of quantum computers, boasting 5,000 qubits and outstripping Google and IBM who have only produced 100 qubit machines. Nonetheless, comparing the qubit count of such different technologies as D-wave’s quantum annealers and their competitor’s gate-model computers is dubious as the battle for quantum supremacy continues.
New detector breakthrough pushes boundaries of quantum computing – Science Daily
In order to measure the energy of qubits in a quantum system, scientists have relied on expensive, noisy and disruptive circuits , but now these complications can be overcome with a new detector for measuring energy. The Bolometer, developed by physicists at Alto University and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, offers a cheaper and more sensitive way to read the information put out by qubits in a quantum machine. This development allows us to scale up quantum computers without having to waste as much time and energy.
New quantum computing algorithm skips past time limits imposed by decoherence – Phys.org
Quantum computers can only perform calculations for a short amount of time before the qubits decohere and become unmanageable, but a new algorithm might change that. Researchers at Los Alamos have developed the Variational Fast Forwarding algorithm which in principle would allow scientists to quantum-mechanically simulate a system for as long as they like. While the success of the algorithm requires some level of error tolerance, it still practically addresses one of the biggest issues in quantum computing.
IBM promises 1000-qubit quantum computer—a milestone—by 2023 – Sciencemag
With their current largest quantum computer containing 65 qubits, IBM has released an ambitious roadmap for a 1000 qubit quantum computer by 2023. While a 1000 qubit machine is still 1000 times too small to break current internet encryption schemes, it will be big enough to correct the errors that plague smaller quantum machines. If the machine is a success, it will mark an inflection point where the goal of quantum computer development shifts from lowering the error rate to scaling and optimizing the architecture.
Reviewing the quantum material ‘engine room’ – ScienceDaily
The Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect is a unique property of certain materials that allow zero-resistance electrical current to flow along its edge, instead of absorbing it like tradition materials do. An Australian collaboration has reviewed the fundamental theories underpinning this little-understood but exciting quantum effect. The better we understand this effect, the sooner we can use it to significantly reduce the power consumption in electric devices.
Google It: Quantum Chemistry Problem Solved – Mirage News
Since the discovery of quantum computing, there have been hints at its potential for solving some of chemistry’s most complex problems, a rare glimpse into the mechanisms that sustain life itself. This week, Google AI Quantum and Quasar collaborated to perform the largest quantum chemistry calculation to date. While the computer returned accurate answers to chemistry problems where the answer was already known, the hope is that this prototype can be used to solve problems that have not yet been solved.
The UK is building its first commercial quantum computer – ZD Net
The UK government has partnered with Rigetti Computing, announcing $13.36 million in investment to create their very own quantum cloud computer. With the ambition of being “the world’s first quantum-ready economy” their main goal is to translate the progress in quantum research to practical progress in industry. Followsing the UK’s previous investment of $1.34 in a ten-year quantum program, we could be seeing governments take a more active role in the quantum race.
Physicists Create City-Sized Ultrasecure Quantum Network – Scientific American
One of the primary challenges for practical quantum communication is being able to scale communications from within a single research labs to a wide network of quantum nodes. An international team of scientists have developed a way to scale up quantum communication to the size of an average city without incurring unreasonable escalation in costs of quantum hardware. Considering their system uses already-existing optical fibers, it brings us even closer to large-scale, secure quantum communication.
World’s first photonic quantum computer is now publicly available on the cloud – Tech Radar
Up until now companies have been using superconducting qubits for their quantum cloud computing service, but this could all change with Xanadu’s announcement of the first photonic qubit cloud computer. The main advantages of photonic computers is that they can operate at room temperature and can easily be integrated into existing fiber-optic infrastructure. Having a photonic computer commercially available to consumers through a cloud computing service is touchstone in the competition between alternate modes of quantum computing.
Google performed the first quantum simulation of a chemical reaction – New Scientist
While we’re still grappling with potential practical uses for quantum computers, the expectation has always been that quantum computers are our best bet for simulating complex chemical reactions.This week, a team at Google has successful used it’s quantum computer to accurately simulated a diazene molecule in which the hydrogen atoms move into different configuration around the nitrogen atoms. While this is a relatively basic chemical reaction, it’s our first step towards using quantum computers to develop brand new chemicals.
IBM delivers its highest quantum volume to date, expanding the computational power of its IBM cloud-accessible quantum computers – Quantaneo
As Google made headlines with their claims of quantum advantage last year, IBM has been plugging away with it’s own milestones, persistently increasing the ‘quantum volume’ of their computers. Quantum volume measures the length and complexity of quantum circuits, serving as a universal marker for a quantum computer’s ability to explore and solve solutions to real world problems. Focusing on a new set of software and hardware improvements, they were able to reach a quantum volume of 64, which makes it the world’s highest performing quantum computer.
We Just Found Another Obstacle For Quantum Computers to Overcome – And It’s Everywhere – Science Alert
Quantum scientists have always struggled with stabilizing qubits for long enough to perform any useful tasks with them. Scientists from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have made this task even more daunting by demonstrating that even low-level, natural radiation can nudge qubits off balance. Without finding a way to mitigate this newfound radiation issue, there is no way to achieve practical quantum computing in the future.
Quantum paradox points to shaky foundations of reality – ScienceMag
Wigner’s paradox is a mind-bending, quantum thought experiment that claims that superposition exists for both the particle and the observer, which throws our ideas about objectivity out the window. A group of researchers from Australia and Taiwan have transformed the paradox into a workable mathematical theorem and experiment, and it checks out. A conclusion that the researchers find “disconcerting”, it demonstrates that these contradictions are no longer just philosophical but can exist in real experiments, spelling even more trouble for our neat definitions of objectivity.
AWS has made quantum computing more accessible than ever – TechRadar
Amazon Web Services has released their quantum cloud computing development tool Amazon Braket, allowing customers to build their programs on simulated quantum computers. Since they aren’t wedded to a specific quantum technology, users of the cloud are able to experiment with and contribute to the development of multiple quantum computers. While Amazon is joining in late to the quantum cloud competition, time will tell whether their approach will cement their position in the quantum race.
Scientists Just Found a Way to Make Quantum States Last 10,000 Times Longer – Science Alert
Quantum States are the backbone of quantum technology, but the problem is they rarely last longer than a few milliseconds. Researchers at the University of Chicago have managed to make quantum states last 10,000 times longer through decoherence; they used a continuous alternating magnetic field to ‘tune out’ unnecessary noise that would otherwise destabilize the system. With this relatively easy-to-apply fix to quantum states, it should give researchers the ability to better manipulate quantum technology across the board.
How Quantum Entanglement Can Help You Win At Blackjack – Forbes
In 1979 a team at MIT designed the strategy of ‘card-counting’ to modify the odds of blackjack to successfully beat casinos, and this week their technique was given a quantum edge. While positing that the cards in a blackjack deck could be considered ‘entangled’, MIT researchers developed a quantum system that dictates the optimal move for a blackjack player. While current quantum technology is too bulky to sneak into a casino, the experiment shows how entangled systems can show up in our macroscopic, everyday lives.
Using entangled photons to play “quantum Go” – Phys.org
The ancient, complex game of ‘Go’ has often served as the go-to game in testing whether AI can compete against human cognition and problem solving. Now, researchers across several institutions in China have developed a version of the board game that uses entangled photons instead of playing tokens, which adds an element of randomness and could produce a tougher test for artificial intelligence than conventional board games. While this novel spin on one of the world’s oldest games sounds like a fun twist, it could also help develop AI systems even further.
The quest for quantum-proof encryption just made a leap forward – Technology Review
It is generally understood that quantum computing threatens to break the systems of encryption that we rely on for our online security. Knowing this, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology launched a competition in 2016 to develop new encryption standards with the goal of being quantum-proof. The vast majority of potential winners have relied on lattice-based cryptography, which currently have no known quantum solutions. While quantum cryptography is still 30 years away, the push to mediate its effects is well underway right now and is showing promising results.
‘Quantum negativity’ can power ultra-precise measurements – Science Daily
A mindumbingly confusing proposition for those of us who measure probability on a scale of 0-100%, quantum theory suggests that the chance of something happening could be a negative number, such as -5%. Nonetheless, scientists from MIT, Harvard and Cambridge have used this “quantum negativity” in a real-world application, allowing them to extract more information from experiments that they could with only classical physics. This discovery can form the basis for more precise measurements of everything from molecular distances to gravitational waves.
Time Travel Simulation Shows Quantum ‘Butterfly Effect’ Doesn’t Exist – ScienceAlert
The ‘butterfly effect’, where a small change in the past can dramatically alter the course of history, has been a common trope in science fiction movies. Unfortunately, it seems these riveting stories are considerably more boring in the quantum world. Physicists from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the US have used the IBM-Q quantum computer to simulate a group of correlated quantum states, rewind time, make small changes and see how it affects the modern day. It turns out quantum states remain essentially unchanged, and they generally returned to their initial form regardless of changes in the past.
IBM and The University of Tokyo unveil the quantum innovation initiative consortium to accelerate Japan’s quantum research and development leadership – Quantaneo
A group of private businesses including IBM, Toshiba and Toyota have teamed up with the University of Tokyo to launch the Quantum Innovation Initiative Consortium. With their headquarters at the university, they plan to accelerate Quantum R&D in Japan by linking academics across academia, research associations and industry. This cements Japan’s centrality in IBM’s Q Network, as one of the key players in the race for quantum supremacy.
U.S. Government Says It’s Building A ‘Virtually Unhackable’ Quantum Internet – Forbes
The US Department of Energy has issued a report laying out their blueprints for a national quantum internet. With existing quantum labs serving as the main nodes in the nationwide quantum network, the US government plans to create a parallel, more secure network for communications. While it is anticipated that banking and health industries will make use of this new network, the national security benefits would place the US at the forefront of the global quantum race.
UNSW will launch a world-first undergraduate degree in quantum engineering – Business Insider
The University of New South Wales has become the first institution in the world to offer an undergraduate degree focusing on quantum engineering. As Australian universities attract quantum talent from all over the world, the proliferation of specific quantum courses is a logical next step. The first intake of students starts in Term 3, 2020, and is expected to provide trained experts for Australia’s burgeoning quantum industry.
Quantum Tunneling Is Not Instantaneous, Physicists Show – Scientific American
Scientists from Toronto have shed light on ‘quantum tunneling’, the process wherein a particle tunnels through a seemingly insurmountable barrier. The team measured how long rubidium atoms spend inside a barrier before they tunnel through it, averaging 0.61 milliseconds, disproving previous claims of instantaneous tunneling. They also discovered that the slower the movement of a tunneling particle, the less time it spends inside a barrier, which is the exact opposite of our everyday laws of motion.
Tiny Bubbles Make a Quantum Leap: Key Breakthrough to Quantum Technologies and Future Photonic Circuitry – SciTech Daily
One of the key components of a photonic quantum computer is a mechanism that emits single-photons to use as qubits. Scientists at Columbia Engineering and Montana State University have discovered that placing strain on a 2-D material can turn it into an easily tuned quantum photon emitter. The benefit of doing this with a 2-D material is the ability to position a fine-tuned, room-temperature, single-photon emitter anywhere we want.
The Quantum Mirror – the lightest mirror in the world – Innovation Origins
Researchers at the Max-Planck Institute in Germany have developed a ‘quantum mirror’, which is the lightest mirror in the world. When integrated into a quantum computer circuit, this 10 nanometer thick mirror could help selectively direct lasers in an optical grid. This discovery offers new possibilities for the development of minuscule sensors and microchips.
Unusual nanoparticles could benefit the quest to build a quantum computer – Phys.Org
While our atmosphere fills with unwanted carbon dioxide, scientists have discovered nanoparticles that convert carbon dioxide into fuel. The team from Rutgers university has isolated these tiny titanium dioxide crystals, which blink when they’re exposed to a beam of electrons, and could be used for environmental cleanups and quantum sensors.
Scaling up the quantum chip – MIT News
Scientists at MIT have developed a new way to scale up quantum chips by manufacturing “artificial atoms”. By using microscopically thin slices of diamond, the chip can emit photons that carry quantum information, marking a turning point in the field of scalable quantum computers.
This process has allowed researchers to link 128 qubits together, creating the largest quantum chip to date.
Atomic ‘Swiss army knife’ precisely measures materials for quantum computers – Science Daily
From smartphone users to those of us who use their keys as q-tips, we have grown to intimately understand the convenience of multipurpose devices. This same philosophy has been translated into the quantum world by scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology who have developed a 3-in-1 quantum measurement tool. The scientists designed the blueprints for a device that measures on both the nanometer and millimeter scale, allowing us to characterise materials in a way that we couldn’t before.
Quantum leap for Australian defense research and development – Create Digital
Two quantum science projects have been awarded $1.5 million from the Australian Defense Industry Quantum Research Consortium. The first project involves quantum sensing of small changes in magnetic fields while the second is related to quantum cryptography. But rather than just scientific research, these projects are geared towards producing practical and reliable technology for the defense industry.
Hear Musicians Jam With a Quantum Computer – Technology Networks
While most of quantum research is focused on the strategic fields of security, communication and health, there are a few researchers out there bucking the trend and experimenting with quantum art. Researchers at the Center for Computer Music Research at the University of Plymouth have designed a quantum computer that is capable of “jamming” with a live musician. The number of rules that the average musician draws upon intuitively when improvising is too complex for a classical computer to process in real time, but now researchers have demonstrated live musical improvisation from a quantum machine that you can listen to online.
The supersizing of quantum physics – Cosmos
Even though quantum physics is the science of tiny particles, it can now be conducted using enormous quantum structures. Researchers at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory in the US have hooked up 40kg mirrors to detect tiny gravitational waves. These gravitational waves are so small that it’s almost impossible to detect them without being overwhelmed by environmental noise, but now, thanks to this big quantum object, we can explore more fundamental questions about physics and reality.
Quantum dots help preserve historic limestone monuments – Physics World
As much of the world enters a dialogue regarding which statues deserve to occupy public space, we forget that even the statues we wish to keep will degrade regardless of our opinions of them. Scientists in Spain and Greece have discovered a revolutionary way to preserve limestone architecture, with a quantum-dot nano-composite applied to the surface of the structures. This allows us not only to reinforce, but monitor the changes in limestone and intervene before it degrades.
Teleportation Is Indeed Possible – At Least in the Quantum World – SciTechDaily
While teleportation has been a captivating literary convention for science fiction, it seems to have always existed on the subatomic level. Scientists had already confirmed that information could be passed between photons without any physical link between them, and this week researchers from the University of Rochester and Purdue have suggested info teleportation is possible between electrons too. The research paves the way for new kinds of quantum computing, involving quantum teleportation with all kinds of matter, not just photons in qubit semiconductors.
New research advances Army’s quest for quantum networking – EurekAlert
The secure encryption promised by quantum communication is alluring for many groups, with one of the biggest actors being the military. There are currently two army research projects at the university of Chicago, one of which is utilizing phonons instead of photons for quantum entanglement. The specific properties of phonons give researchers a much bigger time window with entangled states, which is very useful for military applications, as they will be relying on quantum networks to function in uncertain, non-ideal environments.
Fifty perfect photons for ‘quantum supremacy’ – Phys.org
One of the crucial difficulties for quantum computers using entangled particles of light is the necessity for each photon to be perfectly identical. As quantum machines get more and more complex, the required number of perfect photons increases, and so does the chance for error. Scientists at the University of Twente have divided the crystal light-source into multiple domains in order to tailor the properties of photons, bringing us closer to the realization of perfect, identical photons.
China’s quantum satellite enables first totally secure long-range messages – The Conversation
While long-distance, quantum communication has only been possible over 100kms of fiber-optic cable, China’s quantum satellite has just facilitated long-range secure communication over 1200km. The Micius quantum satellite, launched in 2016, has produced a pair of entangled photons and beamed them to two observatories, which were then able to share encrypted data across the furthest distance to date. This achievement ushers in a new era of communication security as quantum cryptography becomes a legitimate, practical communication tool.
The first intuitive programming language for quantum computers – Science Daily
In a field as diverse as quantum computing, the lack of consistency between competing approaches can be a real barrier to collaborative research. A team of scientists from ETH Zurich have developed a universal programming language called Silq, aimed at quantum computer programmers who, up until now, have been using disparate classical computer languages. While Silq automatically identifies and erases the unnecessary values brought over from classical computing, it also provides a simpler, universal quantum language that will help future programmers develop new quantum algorithms.
Honeywell delivers the largest quantum volume yet – Tech Radar
Honeywell has created a computer with a quantum volume of 64, which is more powerful than all other competing computers. The plan is to offer cloud access to their computer, allowing programmers and researchers to solve problems that they previously couldn’t with classical computers. While the scientific paper describing the computer’s performance has not yet appeared, this achievement should place them as the front-runner in quantum cloud computing.
Quantum ‘fifth state of matter’ observed in space for first time – Phys.org
The Bose-Einstein condensate, the fifth state of matter proposed by Satyendra Nath Bose and Albert Einstein, is a single entity composed of atoms that are cooled to near absolute zero. Too big for the quantum world and too small for conventional physics, this entity is extremely fragile and almost impossible to study on earth due to the interference of magnetic fields. This week NASA observed a Bose-Einstein condensate for the first time in space, which could allow us to test general relativity and search for dark energy and gravitational waves.
Universal Quantum raises $4.5 million to build a large-scale quantum computer – Venturebeat
In the race to develop a quantum computer, the focus has been on large tech companies like Google and IBM, but we’re seeing numerous obscure, smaller tech companies appear as legitimate competitors. Universal Quantum,, a company born out of the University of Sussex has just raised $4.5 million with their ambitious promise to build a trapped ion quantum computer with a billion qubits. It would signal a dramatic shift in the quantum race if these small startups manage to pull of these ambitious quantum projects.
Archer Materials has early-stage validation of quantum computing chip viability – Proactive Investors
One of the main hurdles in quantum computing is our inability to create viable machines that don’t require unnaturally cold temperatures to function. Archer Materials has achieved early-stage validation for their room-temperature quantum chip, placing them among the front-runners of practical quantum computing. While this success has seen an immediate increase in their share price, the real success will be felt in years to come when discoveries like this lead to a functioning, room-temperature quantum computer.
‘Anti-5G quantum machine’ turns out to just be 128MB USB drive – TechRadar
It seems that scammers are atching onto misunderstood, nascent quantum technology to cash in on the 5G conspiracy theory. A $348 USB stick is being marketed as a “Anti-5G Quantum Machine”, promising to use quantum technology to defend from the supposed adverse effects of 5G spouted by conspiracy theorists. Cynically using the complex, inaccessible nature of quantum technology, it is likely that these scams will continue to proliferate as quantum technology develops.
One-of-a-kind microscope enables breakthrough in quantum science – Phys.org
If we wanted to observe the dynamics of light when it is trapped in nano materials, we’d have to rely on computer simulations to give us a proximate image. This week at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, they developed a quantum microscope that records the flow of light, which allows us to observe trapped light directly. This microscopy breakthrough will help us design new quantum materials to store qubits with more stability and improve sharpness and color on existing screens.
Researchers help bring biofriendly materials to drug design for neuro disorders – Science Daily
As part of the gradually developing jump from quantum physics to chemistry and biology, researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso have found that carbon quantum dots can be used to combat certain neurological disorders. This discovery would create a brand new avenue for pharmaceutical companies to help people suffering from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s by providing them with tailored, carbon quantum dots.
Australia’s new quantum-supercomputing innovation hub and CSIRO roadmap – Znet
In a joint venture between the CSIRO, multiple Australian universities and the quantum computing startup Quantum Brilliance have announced the construction of a quantum innovation hub. Following the CSIRO’s report claiming that the quantum technology sector would support 16,000 jobs and create over AU$4 billion annually, this new hub is an important step in securing a collaborative approach to quantum innovation between government, universities and the private sector.
Quantum leap: Photon discovery is a major step toward at-scale quantum technologies – Science Daily
When dealing with the integrated photonics approach to quantum computing, one major barrier for scaling is the inability to generate quality photons on a single microchip. A team of physicists from the University of Bristol have developed a technique called “inter-modal spontaneous four-wave mixing” to create a near-perfect photon source on a commercial chip. Being able to create thousands of photon sources for a truly scalable quantum circuit allows us to create practical, quantum machines that will be solving specialized tasks in the very near future.
Stitch in time: how a quantum physicist made new code from old tricks – University of Sydney
One of the main hurdles for noisy, quantum systems dealing with tiny, fragile parcels of information are the inevitable errors. While eradicating these errors is impossible, Sydney University’s Ben Brown has applied existing 3D error-suppression codes in a 2D architecture, which was also considered impossible. Using these established error-suppression codes frees up a lot of the hardware so it can focus more on solving useful problems, allowing us to produce much more efficient quantum microchips.
Samsung Surprise As World’s First Smartphone With Quantum Technology Launches May 22 – Forbes
While scientists around the world are racing to develop commercial applications for quantum technologies, some companies are jumping the gun. Samsung has announced that their newest phone contains a Quantum Random Number Generator, that utilizes something called ‘quantum noise’ to produce truly random numbers to create perfectly unpredictable encryption. Is this a legitimate mass-market application of quantum technologies or just clever marketing for a conventional computer chip?
Machine learning cracks quantum chemistry conundrum – Phys.org
One of the big hurdles in quantum chemistry is the ability to calculate a molecule’s electronic structure, since you’d have to account for all the potential states that the molecule’s electrons could be in. In a collaboration between the University of Zurich and IBM’s Watson Research Center, researchers have created a machine learning tool that can calculate the energy required to make a molecule. While it can only analyse simpler molecules, it serves as a proof of concept for the vital role of AI and neural networks in solving the mysteries of quantum chemistry.
Quantum Entanglement of 15 Trillion Atoms at 450 Kelvin With “Surprising Results” – SciTech Daily
While scientists often deal with fragile entangled states by freezing them to absolute zero, the Institute of Photonic Sciences has done the opposite by heating them up to 450 Kelvin. By observing the collisions of this mess of atoms, they were able to observe that the atoms remained entangled for 1 millisecond, which means the entangled state can withstand approximately fifty random collisions in that time. While these results are surprising, they hope that this giant entangled state will lead to better sensors for brain imaging, self-driving cars and the search for dark matter.
A path towards quantum computing at room temperature – Tech Explorist
One of the most common barriers to practical, quantum computer circuits is the unnaturally cold temperatures at which they have to operate. Scientists from the US army have theoretically demonstrated practical quantum logic gates composed of photonic circuits and optical crystals, that should be able to bypass the need for sub-zero temperatures. If the US army translates this theoretical success to practical applications, it could spell an enormous shift in international geopolitics.
How growth of the scientific enterprise influenced a century of quantum physics – MIT News
While many histories of quantum physics have focused on the field’s most foundational theorists, David Kaiser’s new book ‘Quantum Legacies’ takes a different approach. Tracking the changing material conditions of physics, Kaiser documents the rhetorical shifts in the philosophy of physics from the World Wars, through to ‘hippie physics’ in the 60’s and the creation of the Large Hadron Collider. Through this approach, Kaiser bucks the trend of focusing on single geniuses and instead praises the ensemble responsible for quantum physics.
IBM Issues A Public Challenge To Program Its Quantum Computers – Forbes
On the fourth anniversary of their public quantum cloud services, IBM has challenged the public to program its quantum computers. For four days, IBM is offering four exercises, ranging in difficulty, aimed at everyone from experienced developers to those curious about quantum computing. While it functions as PR for IBM, It’s a great way to work with the fundamentals of quantum computing and familiarize yourself with a hands-on approach.
Cambridge Quantum Computing Performs the First Quantum Natural Language Processing Experiment – Quantaneo
While quantum supremacy is still a long way away, a team at Cambridge Quantum Computing has developed a path for truly applicable quantum advantage with already existing technology. Using a native quantum structure (no hint of classical computation), they have translated grammatical sentences into quantum circuits, creating a meaning-aware and grammatically informed quantum computer program. If this program continues to be scaled to the point of processing meaningfully large numbers of sentences, it could finally achieve a practical outcome unreachable with classical computers.
Today’s Most-Secure Communications Threatened by Future Quantum Computers – Scitech Daily
In light of the security concerns around quantum cryptography, RAND Corporation has issued a report pushing for immediate government action. The report proposes immediate development of an interoperable standard for post-quantum cryptography, requiring a centrally coordinated approach from a strong state apparatus. Could we see an expanding role for the state when threatened by quantum cryptography?
Can Quantum Computers Help Us Respond to the Coronavirus? – IEEE Spectrum
Continuing from last-week’s news regarding free quantum, cloud computing for Cornavirus researchers, Spectrum offers a deep dive into the immediate benefits of using quantum.during a pandemic. From planning logistics for patient transportation and hospital resources, to modelling the spread of the virus, all the way to assessing the rate of virus mutation and the efficacy of existing drugs, Coronavirus researchers believe that quantum computers can be of critical use, even at it’s current level of development.
D-Wave Opens Quantum-Computing Resources to Coronavirus Research – The Wall Street Journal
While D-wave’s quantum computer is still years away from large-scale commercial use, it is allowing coronavirus researchers free access to it’s machines over the cloud. In this scenario, quantum computers could be used to speed up certain calculations related to drug discovery and hospital logistics. While computations that run on currently available quantum computers generally don’t exhibit a significant speedup for solving practical problems, this pandemic could provide a new practical test of our current quantum capabilities.
Quantum Computing Startup Raises $215 Million for Faster Device – Bloomberg
Psiquantum, a 5-year old startup has raised $215 million with the bold promise to deliver a ‘1 million qubit’ silicon photonic quantum computer. While this would be light-years ahead of their competitors, their machine is yet to be built and therefore can’t run calculations to compare against Google or IBM. While they’ve attracted impressive funding and a world-class team, the waters are muddied by their refusal to publish academic papers regarding the project. If this secretive approach proves successful, could it be the new way quantum research is done in the private sector?
Samsung Display is getting out of the LCD business – The Verge
By the end of the year Samsung will stop producing LCD panels in favor of a quantum alternative. As LCD panel prices fall worldwide, it coincides with Samsung’s $10.7 billion investment in quantum dot technology. These nano-crystals utilize quantum mechanics to produce pure monochromatic red, green and blue light, and are one of the rare, consumer-end examples of commercial, quantum technology.
Creating an Unhackable Quantum Internet – Technology Networks
One of the main barriers to achieving a quantum internet is our inability to send quantum information across long distances without loss. Researchers at Harvard and MIT have developed a prototype of a quantum repeater, that sits as a node at different points across the network, catching, storing and amplifying bits of quantum information. This conceptual breakthrough could infinitely extend the possible range of existing quantum networks and bring about new possibilities for worldwide quantum technology.
Army researchers make giant leap in quantum sensing – ARL Public Affairs
In an attempt to harness quantum technology for direct warfare, scientists at the U.S Army Research Laboratory are developing a new quantum sensor. By equipping soldiers with room-temperature, Rydberg atom sensors in the field, they will be able to detect the entire radio frequency spectrum with minimal noise, giving them communication dominance on the battlefield. While innovation in quantum technology generally takes the form of “war by other means”, the military is still a key player that is actively adapting this burgeoning technology for the battlefield.
The quest to find the graviton may need to go quantum – Futurism
The bridge between quantum and classical physics has proven to be elusive, from quantum mechanics to Einstein’s theory of relativity we don’t have a uniform way to explain our universe. Physicists from the University of California have created a study that probes the link between these two worlds in the elusive ‘graviton’, which is the potential backbone of gravity at the quantum scale. While their study only offers potential directions to explore for clues about how gravity works, the prospect of joining these two theories could revolutionize physics.
Australian Engineers Just Accidentally Solved a 58-Year-Old Quantum Mystery – Science Alert
60 years since its nobel-prize winning discovery, the phenomenon of nuclear electric resonance had only existed in theory until it was observed by accident in an Australian laboratory. Thanks to faulty equipment, the University of New South Wales made a breakthrough, involving controlling the spin of atoms by using electrical rather than magnetic fields, which could drastically speed up the development of quantum computers.
Novel error-correction scheme developed for quantum computers – University of Sydney
Quantum computers are generally plagued with errors, which often holds them back from scaling up to complex, functioning machines. Dr Arne Grimsmo from the University of Sydney, along with colleagues from RMIT and UQ have developed quantum error correction codes that are “platform agnostic”, so they can be used with a diverse range of quantum hardware systems.
Rigetti Computing took a $71 million down round, because quantum computing is hard – Tech Crunch
As one of the few startups aimed at making quantum computing commercially viable, Rigetti is facing difficulties making this proposition for a technology that is still in its infancy. While receiving $71 million in a round of venture-capital funding sounds like a great achievement, it falls far behind their earlier valuations and is a far cry from the budgets of tech giants like Google and IBM. This could signal a problem going forward for companies relying on venture capital to challenge the established tech giants.
Novel method for easier scaling of quantum devices –MIT News
One potential pathway to quantum computing is in a natural defect present in diamonds, which responds to light by emitting protons that can carry quantum information. The problem here is that the natural defect is always surrounded by various other unknown defects with different properties which threaten to decohere the quantum state of the qubit. Scientists at MIT have found a solution, instead of discounting these unknown defects, they have created a system that can identify them and use them to carry quantum information too. This method allows us to move from a single photon source to multiple and is a big step for scaling these types of quantum devices.
Honeywell reveals plans to launch a quantum computer – Tech Radar
Honeywell has announced it will release the most powerful quantum computer to date, boasting a quantum volume of over 64. This new machine comes off the back of their Quantum Charge Coupled Device (QCCD) architecture, and should have over twice the quantum volume offered by IBM’s Q System competitor. This is quite an achievement for what was originally an aerospace and engineering company, which could open a space for many diverse companies to take a lead in quantum computing.
EU Consortium to Prevent Quantum Cyberattacks – Photonics
The EU’s €1 billion quantum technology flagship initiative has used quantum key distribution (QKD) to create the most secure transmission of sensitive information to date. With QKD, the photons are linked in such a way that any attempt to read or copy them will change their properties and corrupt the information. The project aims to integrate QKD into existing telecommunications networks, without needing separate quantum communication infrastructure.
Physicists Have Filmed The Moment an Atom Undergoes a Quantum Measurement – Science Alert
When trying to observe electrons, we are really playing a game of probability, never knowing what position an electron will take when orbiting an atom. A team of physicists from Sweden, Germany and Spain have trapped and observed an atom of strontium, suggesting that there is no absolute state in which you can measure the position of an electron; observing the electron still leaves some features of its superposition untouched and undecided. While this experiment confirms the predictions of modern quantum physics, there is still a long way to go before we understand how to measure quantum possibilities.
Freeman Dyson, quantum physicist who imagined alien megastructures, has died at 96 – LiveScience
From pioneering calculations bridging the quantum and classical worlds to contributions in nuclear engineering, ferromagnetism and astrophysics, Freeman Dyson was an undeniably accomplished physicist. Like many physicists, his ideas gave birth to an abundance of science-fiction worlds that will live on long after his death.
Queensland researchers smash solar efficiency record for ‘quantum dot’ solar cells – Renew Economy
While solar cells are conventionally constructed with rigid silicon wafers, a team of researchers at Queensland University have managed to improve the efficiency of new quantum dot solar cells, bringing the technology closer to commercial viability. These small-scale, printable quantum solar cells are so thin that they can potentially be applied as a transparent skin to power cars, planes, homes and could be a powerful tool for tackling climate change.
Cryo-chip overcomes obstacle to large-scale quantum computers – Phys.Org
While quantum chips need to operate at abnormally low temperatures, many of the mechanisms controlling the chips operate at room temperature outside of the quantum fridge. As quantum computers get bigger and more complicated, they are limited by the number of wires that they require to connect them to external controllers. Qutech has resolved this issue by designing an integrated circuit that controls quantum computers from within the fridge, allowing quantum computers to freely grow in complexity.
PhysiciQuantum Physicists “Hold” Individual Atoms in Place for First Time – Futurism
Complex atomic interactions are generally deduced from statistical averages of large numbers of atoms. In a world first, researchers from the university of Otago have held individual atoms in place using highly focused laser beams in a vacuum chamber. Alongside their initial observations regarding how long it takes for individual atoms to form a molecule, this level of detail and control of atoms could provide a way to build and control single molecules of particular chemicals.
Quantum experiment in China breaks through distance barrier in optic fibres – ABC
A team of Chinese scientists have successfully entangled clouds of quantum atoms at a mind-boggling distance of 50kms apart. Considering that the previous record for entanglement was done across 1.3km of fibre-optic cable, this most recent experiment has so drastically extended the range of entanglement, it brings us within reach of a quantum internet.
Artificial atoms create stable qubits for quantum computing – UNSW Newsroom
In the realm of silicon-based quantum computing, it is often difficult to have reliable and stable electrons that can function as qubits. Quantum Engineers from the University of New South Wales have created artificial atoms in silicon chips which can have a higher number of electrons, thereby allowing them to work with more reliable qubits. This is an important step for the realisation of large-scale silicon quantum computers.
Quantum Technology 2020 Trends: These Are The Immediate Security Threats And Opportunities – Forbes
While 1% of organisations have currently budgeted for quantum computing projects, it is predicted that by 2023, 20% of business will do so and 25% will experience a competitive, quantum advantage. These predictions are mainly based on the recent successful uses of quantum encryption technologies such as Key Distribution (QKD), but that is only one small part of the potential quantum technology offers to the business sector.
Trump administration to propose big jump in funding for AI, Quantum R&D: sources – Reuters
In a budget proposal to be released on Monday, the Trump administration plans to double the spending on quantum information sciences to $860 million within two years. The U.S chief technology officer cited concerns for national security and economic strength, leaving no doubt that the funding jump is aimed at keeping pace with China’s efforts in an increasingly competitive quantum race.
‘Overly aggressive’: R&D uncertainty stops quantum leaps, startup says – Sydney Morning Herald
In light of the uncertainty caused by Australia’s shifting policy regarding tax offsets for research, Michael Biercuk from the University of Sydney has called for more certainty on behalf of investors and entrepreneurs. It is claimed that Australia’s quantum potential may be stifled by reforms aimed at closing tax loopholes for big business.
AI method determines quantum advantage for advanced computing – Phys.org
Given the costly and time-consuming nature of creating quantum computers, coupled with the uncertainty regarding its efficacy over conventional computers, there is a need for ways to predict whether or not a project is viable before investing. In a collaboration between three Russian universities, researchers created an AI model that distinguishes between complex networks and determines whether one has a potential quantum advantage.
This tiny glass bead has been quantum chilled to near absolute zero – New Scientist
Once you get to the extremely small quantum scale, heat and motion are interchangeable: the more a particle is moving, the hotter it is. Researchers at the university of Vienna were able to use a single, optical trapping laser to hold a glass particle in place, thereby cooling it to its coldest possible state. While this method has successfully cooled diffuse gases in the past, this is the first time it has worked with a solid particle, which will allow future researchers to study how gravity applies to quantum objects
India finally commits to quantum computing, promises $1.12B investment – The Next Web
The Indian government just announced a planned investment of $1.12 billion in quantum computing research over the next 5 years. While India’s investment comes late in the game, following the billions invested by the U.S., E.U and China, this sudden surge in funding is sure to diversify the global quantum race.
How supercomputers are helping us link quantum entanglement to cold coffee – Phys.Org
Theoretical physicists from Trinity College in Dublin have discovered an unexpected link between quantum entanglement and thermalisation, which is the process in which an object reaches the same temperature as its surroundings. Previously, there were multiple ways to describe how a system thermalises, and each of these ways were seen as equivalent. With the help of quantum physics, they were able to show that entanglement changes depending on which way you choose to describe thermalisation, which has far reaching theoretical implications for the field of statistical mechanics.
A new twist on quantum communication in fiber – Phys.org
In a collaboration between universities in South Africa and China, physicists have discovered that multiple quantum patterns of twisted light can be transmitted through a conventional fibre link that was designed for only one pattern of light. The transfer of multi-dimensional entanglement states over 250m of single-mode fiber sets a precedent for utilizing old, well-established technologies for a brand new quantum future.
Quantum computing talent war: JPMorgan Chase poaches a top IBM exec – WRAL Techwire
JP-Morgan Chase hired prominent, 24-year IBM employee and former head of quantum computing algorithms, Marco Pistoia. In an industry suffering from skills-scarcity, the poaching of a valued contributor to quantum innovation can hurt organizations such as IBM. Technology Business Research predict that this form of strategic hiring will only increase as we come closer and closer to quantum advantage.
4 Ways to Make Bigger Quantum Computers – IEEE Spectrum
With the majority of existing quantum computers only operating at abnormally low temperatures, if we seek to scale these technologies we inevitably run into the problem of not having “enough room in the fridge”. At the most recent International Electron Devices meeting, engineers offered some potential solutions to this problem ranging from CryoCMOS, Microrelays, Single-flux quantum logic and Weyl semimetals. Could any of these novel solutions solve one of the major problems hindering the development of quantum computing?
Scientists Create “Strange Metal” Packed With Entangled Electrons – Science Daily
Usually when we study quantum entanglement we study tiny things, but recently physicists from the US and Austria have observed the effects of entanglement in a macroscopic metallic film. They detected “billions of billions” of simultaneously entangled electrons in a relatively large “strange metal” compound. Seeing as quantum entanglement is the basis for the storage and processing of quantum information, this discovery has far reaching implications for the future of quantum computing.
IBM Doubles Its Quantum Computing Power Again – Forbes
Every year since 2017, IBM’s quantum computers have been doubling the “Quantum Volume” of their quantum computers, reaching a volume of 32 in 2020. Quantum Volume, a quantum performance metric developed by IBM, has served as an impressive marker for the company’s quantum capabilities and rapid progress. Should Quantum Volume be adopted as an industry standard metric or is it just a part of IBM’s marketing?
Quantum Loop Provides Testbed for Quantum Communications – Photonics
The U.S Department of Energy, in collaboration with the University of Chicago have laid down 52 miles pf fiber optic cables, making it one of the longest ground-based quantum communication channels in the US. The loop will be used to test the transfer of encrypted quantum communication over large distances, with plans to eventually connect to other laboratories and form one of the longest quantum links in the world. These tests could offer key advances for quantum communication and a potential quantum internet.
In leap for quantum computing, silicon quantum bits establish a long-distance relationship – Phys.org
One of the limitations of silicon quantum computers is that its components need to be microscopically close to each other in order to function. A team at Princeton University has overcome this problem by demonstrating that silicon “spin” qubits can interact with each other from opposite ends of a computer chip. While this 4mm distance doesn’t sound like much, it unlocks new possibilities for quantum hardware with the potential of qubits communicating from one chip to another.
China’s quantum satellite links with world-first mobile ground station – CGTN
In a world first, China has successfully sent an encrypted transmission from a quantum satellite to a mobile quantum ground station. The station, developed by two Chinese universities and a tech company, weighs just over 80kg and can be mounted on a road vehicle. The ability to transmit quantum encrypted messages with such versatility could have tremendous security and commercial applications.
Why Scientists Supercooled LEGO Bricks to Near Absolute Zero – Popular Mechanics
For current superconductors and quantum computers to function, unnaturally low temperatures are necessary, along with materials that can reliably insulate against temperature changes. In a bizarre study, scientists from Lancaster University have discovered that Lego bricks are an adequate material for housing these demanding machines. This discovery is a step forward for quantum researchers, offering a practical, cheap and mass produced casing that makes research more commercially viable.
Amazon enters quantum computing race with cloud quantum processors – New Scientist
Amazon has staked its claim in the quantum race this week, launching a new service called Amazon Braket. The cloud service allows Amazon customers to test algorithms on quantum processors from D-Wave, Rigetti and IonQ. Unlike Google and IBM, who are creating their own quantum computers, Amazon’s cloud service is aimed at the majority of companies that prefer the low-cost, cloud-based, on-demand computing.
How suspicions of spying threaten cross-border science – Technology Review
A report from Strider, an American intelligence startup, accuses China of using European and American funding to develop military applications for quantum technology. The report was dismissed by scientists, warning against creating an unnecessarily hostile environment and jeopardizing hard-earned international scientific relationships. While Strider admitted that there is no direct evidence linking these researchers and the chinese military, the report’s existence highlights the growing anxiety and tension between science and security.
How babies can teach AI to understand classical and quantum physics – The Next Web
A group of MIT researchers have created an AI model that understands physics as well as a three-month-old baby. By studying infants after presenting them with physical objects, the researchers created a schema that teaches machines everything from object solidity and permanence to motion. Although the research is still in its infant stages, it helps bridge the gap between the human brain and artificial neural networks and could form the basis for “thinking” machines when combined with quantum computing technology.
Quantum dot lasers move a step closer with electric-pumping development – Phys.org
The quantum dot is one of the rare offshoots of quantum mechanics that has been commercially available for consumers for some years now. Colloidal Quantum Dots (CQD’s) are semiconductor nanoparticles that are used in the display screens of many electronic devices, due to their ability to generate vivid colours when powered by another source of light energy. This week, a team from Nanyang Technological University have managed to couple CQD’s with electric fields to emit laser light using only a fraction of the energy required for traditional lasers. If this cheap, already-commercially available quantum technology can be used for laser light, it could revolutionise the laser-reliant fields of medicine, security and consumer electronics.
Strange quantum effect found in an exotic superconductor – Big Think
Superconductors are able to conduct electricity without resistance, but are generally only operational at abnormally low temperatures. However, some iron-based superconductors operate at room-temperature, and an international team of researchers are close to figuring out why. By adding cobalt atoms to an iron superconductor, they were able to make superconductivity disappear, which demonstrates a quantum phase transition and brings us closer to developing an accessible version of an otherwise exotic superconductor.
Quantum computers could mark their own homework – Physics World
Due to their sensitivity to environmental noise, quantum computers are often error prone. This week, scientists from the UK’s University of Warwick have created an efficient protocol for assessing the correctness of quantum computing. Previously, conventional computers were used to check the correctness of quantum calculations, but this method should be abandoned eventually if quantum computers are to outperform than conventional computers. The team’s protocol is done entirely by quantum computers and would hopefully jettison our counterproductive reliance on conventional computers.
Researchers reach milestone in quantum standardization – Phys.org
As the quantum race heats up, we see the rise of disparate, competing quantum platforms and technologies. In light of this, researchers from Canada have developed a method to establish a universal standard for measuring the performance of quantum computers called ‘cycle benchmarking’. The method determines the total probability of error under any given quantum computing application, which allows for cross-platform evaluation of quantum capabilities.
Japan plots 20-year race to quantum computers, chasing US and China – Nikkei Asian Review
While the US and China are still seen as the leaders of the quantum race, Japan has promised record investment to catch up. Tokyo aims to develop full fledged quantum computers by 2039 by producing five quantum innovations centers of the next five years. This hopeful investment might bring about a geopolitical leveling-out of the quantum race, making room for more diverse voices and visions of a quantum future.
Quantum light improves sensitivity of biological measurements – Phys.org
Enzymes, the complex molecules responsible for many of the processes inside our bodies, have been notoriously difficult to study through optical approaches. A multidisciplinary group of researchers from The Optical Society have demonstrated that light controlled at the level of a single photon can allow accurate measurements without altering the activity of the enzyme. This is just one of the fruitful cross-pollinations between quantum physics and biology, shining a light on previously inaccessible molecules.
Experimental test of local observer independence – Science Advances
Starting from Wigner’s famous 1960’s thought experiment positing that two observers can experience seemingly different realities, an international team from the UK, France and Austria have created a complementary empirical investigation. They constructed a physical experiment using laser generated photons, whose results imply that quantum theory should be interpreted in an observer dependent way. I.e. objective reality does not exist.
Physicists Detect Strange Electron Pairs Acting as a Brand New State of Matter – Science Alert
While studying the relationship between electrons and superconductors, physicists from the US and China have accidentally discovered a new state of matter. Electrons usually form “cooper pairs” that either conduct electrical current without resistance or conversely insulate and not letting any current pass. Surprisingly, the physicists found a middle-state that doesn’t conduct or block current and could be the basis for new kinds of future technology.
Rigetti, CBA test quantum computing’s financial potential – CIO
An unlikely partnership has sprouted between researchers from Rigetti Computing and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia as they test the use of quantum computing in the financial services sector. While at the current scale, this specific quantum model can’t outperform traditional computers, but it is an important step in understanding how quantum can be practically applied in finance.
A Glimpse Into Honeywell’s Quantum Play Through Microsoft’s Azure Ignite Announcement – Forbes
Microsoft revealed “azure quantum”, a quantum cloud service that provides subscribers with access to quantum computers from Honeywell, IonQ and QCL. While a late-comer to the arena of quantum cloud services, what set’s Microsoft and Honeywell apart is their use of trapped ion technology instead of the conventional superconducting qubits. Along with These developments see the solidification of the private sector’s central role in the quantum revolution.
A new quantum data classification protocol brings us nearer to a future ‘quantum internet’ – Phys.org
While quantum technologies promise groundbreaking applications, many devices would fall short if they weren’t able to communicate with each other. In order to create a network of quantum devices, you need a protocol that can sort data from diverse quantum systems according to the state in which they were prepared. Researchers at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona have managed to create a machine learning protocol that is able to cluster quantum data samples based on whether they share a common underlying probability distribution. This protocol sets a solid theoretical framework for future distribution of quantum information, and brings a quantum internet closer to life.
ColdQuanta awarded $2.8M from the US government to advance its quantum core technology – Quantaneo
Quantum atomics company ColdQuanta Inc. was just awarded $2.8M U.S for four separate programs from DARPA, NASA, and the U.S. military, putting their cumulative funding at over $30M. While each of these investments focus on different applications of cold atom technology, they all point towards military development of quantum systems for global positioning and communication.
Scientists Have Made a Quantum Encryptor 1,000 Times Smaller Than What Came Before – Science alert
When we encrypt data we conventionally use passwords or biometric data, which can both be hacked or leaked, but that could all change with the implementation of Quantum Key Distribution. Scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have not just made such a quantum encryptor 1,000 smaller than previous models, but they made it using standard industry materials like silicon. These practical advances could lead to the commercialization and widespread use of quantum key distribution for cyber security.
Volkswagen to Test Quantum Navigation App in Real Traffic – Wall Street Journal
While conventional navigation applications study congestion and send the same information to individual drivers, a quantum-computing navigation program creates an individualized route for each participating driver, thereby creating near-perfect traffic conditions. Volkswagen has been looking to commercialize this technology for three years, and they are rolling out their first real-world tests in Lisbon next week. With plans to roll out the quantum-routing technology in mid-2020, are we on the cusp of having quantum-powered, networked cities?
Quantum paradox experiment may lead to more accurate clocks and sensors – Science Daily
Einstein’s “twin paradox” predicts that time can pass at different speeds for different people depending on their velocity and proximity to enormous mass. A recent experiment from the University of Queensland seeks to use quantum entanglement to test if this theory is applicable outside of classical physics. If the twin paradox is confirmed on the quantum level, then it could lead to advanced technologies that will allow physicists to build more precise sensors and clocks.
Weaving quantum processors out of laser light – Phys.org
A team of scientists from Australia, Japan and the US just opened a new avenue in quantum computing by producing a prototype of a large-scale quantum processor that uses laser light. 10 years in the making, this project allows extreme scalability and opens up new possibilities for universal quantum computing using light.
Physicists have discovered a new quantum property – Tech Explorist
When two photons are entangled, the quantum state of the first will correlate with the state of the second, regardless of how close they are to each other. This week, researchers from Switzerland and Iran have opened up quantum theory by asking what would happen when three pairs of entangled photons are placed in a network. When they forced two photons from separate pairs to become entangled, the connection was also present in their twin photon elsewhere in the network. This important theoretical discovery underlines the power of quantum correlations in networks, which far exceeds what researchers had originally thought possible.
Quantum vacuum: Less than zero energy – Phys.org
Classical physics would posit that there is a natural bottom-limit to energy; once every single particle is removed from a certain volume and there is nothing left to carry energy, that is where energy ends. An international research team from Austria, Belgium and India have proven that under certain conditions, negative energies are temporarily allowed. When thought in terms of the theory of general relativity, negative energy means we could expect negative mass and negative gravity.
Quantum gold rush: the private funding pouring into quantum start-ups – Nature
While we tend to compartmentalise quantum as a technology that is slowly improving based on the natural progression of scientific research, it is important to interrogate the role funding plays in dictating technological development. With insightful references to the history of investment in AI, Elizabeth Gibney provides a great rundown of the role of venture capital in dictating the direction, viability and preferability of some forms of quantum research over others.
Why I Coined the Term ‘Quantum Supremacy’ – Wired
John Preskill, the theoretical physicist who coined the term “quantum supremacy”, offers a retrospective analysis of his popular term in the wake of Google’s alleged quantum supremacy milestone. Should google’s achievement be classified as quantum supremacy, and if so, what does this mean for the new era of quantum technology?
Google claims to have reached quantum supremacy – Australian Financial Revue
In a landmark moment in quantum computing, google has reportedly attained quantum supremacy, wherein a quantum computer is able to carry out previously impossible calculations. Their quantum processor was able to perform a calculation in three minutes and twenty seconds, which would have taken our most advanced classical computer approximately 10,000 years. While their system can only perform this one, highly technical calculation, it does form a landmark step towards a new computing paradigm.
Aliro comes out of stealth with $2.7M to ‘democratize’ quantum computing with developer tools – Tech Crunch
Aliro Technologies, a Harvard quantum-software startup, has announced its first round of funding of $2.7 million. They’re creating a platform that will let developers use universal programming languages in the world of quantum computation, which is made up by hundreds of disparate, proprietary machines all with their own unique code. If achieved, this towards making quantum computing as accessible as classical computing would afford more democratization in a field currently dominated by specialists.
Team closes in on ‘holy grail’ of room temperature quantum computing chips – Phys.org
Professor Yuping Huang and his team at Stevens Institute of Technology have produced a nano-scale chip that facilitates photon interactions with much higher efficiency than previous systems. It works at very low energy levels, which suggests they’re on track for producing room-temperature quantum computing which is vital for practical, commercial quantum computers.
Sydney’s Q-CTRL leaps into top-10 of global quantum tech start-ups – The University of Sydney
Professor Michael Biercuk from Sydney University’s Q-CTRL tech-startup has announced a $22m investment in it’s first round of venture capital fundraising, catapulting the company into the top-10 global quantum startups. Aiming at solving the problem of inherent instability of quantum hardware, Q-CTRL has been able to greatly reduce hardware errors, paving the pay to commercially viable quantum computers.
IBM, Fraunhofer partner on German-backed quantum computing research push – Reuters
As Germany seeks to catch up with the United States and China in the global technology race, IBM has partnered with German research institute The Fraunhofer Society, on the back of a €650m investment into quantum research by Merkel’s government. This will result in the first quantum computer deployed by IBM outside of the United states and could help Europe’s largest economy have a legitimate stake in the quantum race.
I Work for N.S.A. We Cannot Afford to Lose the Digital Revolution. – The New York Times
In an opinion piece for the New York Times, General Counsel for the National Security Agency, Glenn S. Gerstell provides an interesting overview of the myriad security threats posed by rapidly developing technologies and offers potential solutions. Is this a cynical attempt to justify increased funding and legitimize a controversial government agency, or a genuine call for bold, preemptive security measures in an age of technological revolution?
ANU Mount Stromlo Observatory to get technology NASA will have to catch up with – ABC News
The Australian National University is creating a quantum optical ground station which can transmit more information to space than stations with traditional radio waves. The new technology is expected to form the backbone of future space communication, putting Australia at the forefront of the next potential space race and prompting NASA to play catch-up.
Quantum Physics and Social Science | Robert Wright & Alexander Wendt – The Wright Show
With steady technological progress being made in the disruptive field of quantum computing, there’s an immediate impetus for social scientists to weigh in. The initial cross-pollination is predictably murky and controversial, but this interview between Robert Wright and Alex Wendt can provide a deeper look into one particular form of social science’s early grappling with quantum physics.
Beyond the Hype: The EU and the AI Global “Arms Race” – Carnegie Europe
With the disruptive, deep-tech fields of AI and quantum both being popularly framed through the narrative of an “arms race”, it is easy to see how a culture of insecurity can be cultivated. While lagging behind in the “AI race”, the European Union’s regulatory power and it’s “ethical AI” narrative places it as a potential agenda-setter in promoting a human-centered R&D approach to Artificial Intelligence. Could the EU be counted on to actively re-frame the “quantum race” as well?
Entanglement sent over 50 km of optical fiber – Science Daily
Researchers at the Department of Experimental Physics at the University of Innsbruck have achieved a world first by transporting entangled quantum particles over 50 kilometres of fiber-optic cable. This is a huge boon for those seeking practical applications of quantum technology, as quantum internet now has the capacity to link cities together.
Australia’s Archer details first stage of room temp quantum chip success – ZDNet
Archer Exploration has become one of the first Australian companies to produce a prototype for room-temperature quantum computer chips. Their carbon-based quantum computing device, dubbed 12CQ, is a decent step for the commercialisation of practical quantum technology and will help solidify Australia’s position as a hub for quantum research.
Now that’s what I call future proofing. IBM makes world’s first quantum computing-safe tape drive – Blocks & Files
While so many tech companies are racing towards the first quantum computer, IBM is developing new ways for classical computers to defend themselves against a potential quantum encryption attack. Utilizing algorithms based on two practically-unsolvable cryptographic primitives ‘Kyber’ and ‘Dilithium’, IBM aims to protect computers from an anticipated quantum attack… Now if only there was a functioning quantum computer to test it against.
Quantum radar has been demonstrated for the first time – MIT Technology Review
Researchers at the Institute of Science and Technology in Austria have used microwave photons to create the world’s first quantum radar. Unlike conventional radar, quantum radars can easily filter-out background interference. They also work at such low power that they produce barely any interference of their own, which makes them perfect for non-invasive biomedical applications and stealth-based security applications.
Japan aims to put quantum cryptography into practical use from 2025 – The Japan Times
In publishing their budget for 2020, Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications included 1.5 billion Yen for research and development of quantum technology, with the goal of putting quantum cryptography into practical use by 2025. It is still not clear whether this level of investment will do much to stop them falling behind the U.S and China who currently dominate the quantum race.
A single-photon source you can make with household bleach – Phys.org
Angela Belcher and Ching-Wei Lin from MIT have discovered a way to produce single-photon emitters “within a minute” by simply using household bleach and light. Up until now, producing the essential raw material for quantum computing, the single photon, was hampered by preparation methods that require special reactants at abnormally low temperatures. This breakthrough allows for real-world production of single-photons at scale which is vital for translating fundamental quantum experiments to practical applications.
Looks Like We Have a New State of Matter – Popular Mechanics
Physicists from New York University have just discovered a new state of matter – topological superconductivity. The new state promises specific benefits for quantum computing, as topological superconductivity is the only state that can store “majorana particles” which in turn can store quantum information while shielding it from environmental noise. This new state could hold the key to manipulating quantum information free of error.
Quantum Teleportation Has Been Reported in a Qutrit For The First Time – Science Alert
Quantum teleportation transports information across distances through particle entanglement, but so far it has only been managed using qubits. Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China have achieved quantum teleportation using qutrits which add a level of complexity, promising greater processing power for quantum computers.
Quantum entanglement in chemical reactions? Now there’s a way to find out – Phys.org
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a practical way to measure entanglement in chemical reactions, giving us the tools to test the widely held suspicion that quantum phenomena are at the heart of natural chemical reactions such as photosynthesis. Uncovering exactly how chemical reactions work could allow us to mimic or recreate them in new technologies, such as solar energy systems.
Vault Cloud, Quintessence Labs and Ziroh Labs combine tech for world first – CIO
As part of the steady commercialization of quantum technology, AustCyber has funded the integration of cloud service provider Vault cloud, Ziroh Labs’ encryption technology and QuintessenceLabs true quantum random number generator. This public/private collaboration will create the world’s first secure and scalable package for enterprise file synchronization and sharing systems, expected to be commercially available later this year.
Quantum Darwinism, an Idea to Explain Objective Reality, Passes First Tests – Quanta Magazine
In an attempt to bridge the gap between the rules of classical physics and the spooky rules quantum physics, some scientists are turning to the theory of “Quantum Darwinism”. The theory posits that quantum particles don’t change state because we observe them, rather that we can only observe the particle’s “fittest” state that has imprinted itself on the environment. Three distinct groups of researchers have conducted experiments related to Quantum Darwinism, all of which have had positive results, which suggests we are on the road to reconciling the biggest mysteries of physics.
Physicists count sound particles with quantum microphone – Phys.org
Physicists at Stanford have developed a “quantum microphone” that’s so sensitive it can measure phonons, or individual particles of sound. The device opens the door to a smaller, more efficient quantum computer that manipulates sound rather than light, boasting wavelengths that are thousands of times smaller.
Why Big Banks Could Soon Jump on the Quantum Bandwagon – Wired
Financial institutions rely heavily on complex computer modeling to calculate the potential fluctuations and general risks involved in financial products. Recently, IBM and J.P. Morgan have been able to run simple risk-calculation programs on actual quantum computers, providing proof-of-concept for a technology the financial sector has been looking for, a machine built to process uncertainty.
200 times faster than ever before: The speediest quantum operation yet – ScienceDaily
Researchers at UNSW have produced the first two-qubit gate between atom qubits in silicon, a milestone that was thought to be impossible 20 years ago. This discovery allows us to observe and control interactions between qubits in real time with high fidelity, which is a critical step for running quantum algorithms and building the first practical quantum computer from atom qubits.
How the quest for a scalable quantum computer is helping fight cancer – Phys.org
While a viable quantum computer is still a while away, quantum computing is constantly spurring practical innovations in conventional computers, as proven by researchers at Case Western Reserve University. The researchers pioneered “Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting” which utilizes Microsoft’s quantum-inspired algorithms to sift through sensitive and complex body scans, allowing doctors to detect the effectiveness of cancer treatments six times faster than conventional methods.
Scientists Just Unveiled The First-Ever Photo of Quantum Entanglement – Science Alert
Physicists at the University of Glasgow in Scotland have achieved a world-first by photographing quantum entanglement. The image shows two photons that shifted in exactly the same way, despite being split. This opens the way to new quantum imaging schemes and lends further proof of the spooky action at the heart of quantum mechanics.
‘Connecting the dots’ for quantum networks – Science Daily
Scientists at the U.S Naval Research Laboratory have worked out how to squeeze quantum dots so that they emit light at identical wavelengths and positions. This breakthrough, allowing many quantum dots to communicate in an integrated circuit, promises to accelerate quantum information technologies and neuromorphic or “brain-inspired” computing.
Europe’s VCs finally leap into quantum – Sifted
A Finnish quantum computing startup just raised €11.45m from investors in Europe. Considering the rarity of European venture capital investment in Quantum, most European companies move to Silicon Valley to raise money. The company’s success in securing investments could be the start of a wave of European investors taking the plunge into Quantum technology, signalling a shift in the worldwide distribution of quantum research.
World’s smallest MRI machine means we can now scan individual atoms – Futurism
Researchers from the United States and South Korea attached magnetized iron atoms to the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope, thereby creating an MRI machine so small it can scan the energy released by individual electrons. This allows for an unprecedented level of detail in examining the raw materials needed for quantum computing.
Dotz Nano finds graphene quantum dots effective in treating brain injuries, strokes and heart attacks – SmallCaps
New research has found graphene quantum dots (GQD), manufactured from coal, can be effective in treating brain injuries, strokes, multiple sclerosis and heart attacks.This development prompted technology specialists Dotz Nano to immediately begin commercial production of it’s GQD, which is a significant development for both the biomedical applications and commercialization of quantum technology.
Business eager for quantum velocity – The Australian
A survey conducted by Japanese tech giant Fujitsu found that 90% of business leaders felt insufficient computing power was holding them back, leaving them simultaneously longing for quantum and disappointed by the pace of technological development. In the absence of practical quantum computers, The private sector’s fixation on the promises of quantum technology has lead companies to implement practical bridging technologies between quantum and classical computing.
Researchers teleport information within a diamond – EurekAlert
While scientists conventionally try to teleport quantum information across long distances, a team at Japan’s Yokohama National University has managed to achieve quantum entanglement inside a diamond. This discovery will shape how we share and store sensitive information in the future as we are able to project information into otherwise inaccessible spaces.
AT&T hopes quantum networking will amplify the power of quantum computing – CNET
A partnership has been announced between communications company AT&T and researchers at INQNET (Intelligent Quantum Networks and Technologies) with the ultimate goal of building a quantum internet. The continued cross-pollination of private sector industry and research institutions, primarily focusing on making quantum technology commercially viable, has major implications for the democratization of quantum.
Building a Bridge to the Outside World – IST Austria
Currently, quantum computers need to operate at abnormally low temperatures in order to function, but a team of Scientists at the Institute of Science and Technology in Austria have found a way to link these computers with the outside world. The team produced entangled radiation using a 30-micrometer-long piece of silicon, which would function as a link between sensitive quantum computers and the conventional optical fibers that connect them inside data centers and beyond.
Quantum computing will break net security; Cloudflare wants to fix it – CNET
As quantum threatens to crack conventional forms of encryption, Cloudflare and Google have teamed up in search of secure “post quantum encryption”. In releasing CIRCL (Cloudflare interoperable reusable cryptographic library) they aim to provide a practical, open-source software package that will allow anyone to contribute and evaluate post-quantum encryption algorithms.
A New Law to Describe Quantum Computing’s Rise? – Quanta Magazine
While Moore’s law initially posited that the technological development of computational power would speed up exponentially, we now understand that it vastly underestimates the speed of quantum development. Neven’s law posits that quantum computing exhibits “double exponential” growth, which suggests quantum supremacy is right around the corner.
Machine learning unlocks mysteries of quantum physics – Phys.org
Studying quantum phenomena requires subatomic images of electronic motions, but the data generated by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) is too complex for humans to interpret. By delegating this complex task to A.I networks, Eun-Ah Kim’s team at Cornell University has made this data interpretable, which will allow us to design the complex materials necessary for quantum computing.
Physicists Play Guitar To Demonstrate The Potential Of Quantum Radio – Forbes
A group of musically talented physicists at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) have found a way to directly measure electronic fields using atoms, which has practical applications for the future of communication. While sound quality is currently worse than conventional, digital recording, Rydberg atoms have the potential to pickup audio data in the presence of noise, even in deep space.
UK government to invest £153m in quantum computing – E&T
During London Tech Week, UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced a £153m investment in Quantum computing, on top of a pledge of £1bn from the private sector. This eager investment will see the UK move closer to closing the quantum gap separating them from the U.S and China.
Quantum Computing Comes To Africa Through IBM And Wits University – Forbes
IBM has partnered with the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, making it the first African University in IBM’s Q Network. It is intended that quantum research in Africa will be geared towards cosmology and molecular biology, privileging developments in quantum computing that address specifically African needs.
Light-powered nano-organisms consume carbon dioxide, create eco-friendly plastics and fuels – Science Daily
A Research team at the University of Colorado has used light-activated quantum dots to create nanobio-hybrid organisms, or “living factories” that eat CO2 and convert it into useful, eco-friendly chemicals. The next step would be optimizing the conversion process, with the goal of offering a commercially viable alternative to petrochemical production.
Scientists Predict Quantum Jumps, Turning Physics on Its Head – Futurism
Schroedinger’s cat, the brutal quantum metaphor for superposition and unpredictability, has been turned on its head. Scientists at Yale University have made a leap towards useful quantum computing with their discovery of an ‘early warning system’ for quantum jumps, allowing us to not only predict, but reverse quantum jumps without ever having to directly observe the cat.
Quantum cryptography goes faster and further on commercial fibre links – Physicsworld
Researchers at Peking University have made quantum telecommunication and encryption much more practical and commercially viable. The team were the first in the world to utilize already-existing commercial fibre networks to distribute quantum cryptography keys across a 50km distance.
New device brings us closer to finding a ‘killer app’ for quantum computers – Create Digital
While the scientific community is still grappling with understanding quantum technology, some experiments are giving more and more scope for potential applications. A collaboration between Griffith University and Nanyang Technological University have created a quantum device that can help model complex weather and traffic systems better than classical computers.
‘Noise-cancelling headphones for quantum computers: international collaboration launched’ – UNSW Newsroom
The U.S Department of Defence’s ‘Next Generation Technologies Fund’, in coordination with the Army Research Office has launched an international collaboration comprising three Australian universities and 7 leading U.S. research institutions. They aim to get a step closer to successful quantum computing by developing theoretical methods to analyse the noise around quantum bits with the goal of “canceling” it.
‘There’s a Brand-New Kilogram, And It’s Based on Quantum Physics’ – LiveScience
In lieu of viable qubit computing, quantum theory has offered other practical applications as it retrospectively rewrites our conventions of measurement. The “Kilogram” used to refer to a prototype 1KG block of metal in France, but as of Monday, a Kilogram will be measured through its relationship to Planck’s Constant, which allows a Kilogram to retain the same mass regardless of where in the universe it is measured.
‘Honeywell Leaps Into Quantum Computing in Race With Google, IBM’ – Bloomberg
There’s a new competitor in the private sector vying for quantum supremacy. Honeywell international inc. brings its expertise in aerospace engineering and control-system hardware specifically to make the quantum race even more competitive as it boasts record-breaking fidelity in trapped-ion technology.
‘Generating high-quality single photons for quantum computing’ – MIT News
Researchers at MIT’s Research Laboratory of Electronics have developed a way to generate high-quality photons without having to trade indistinguishability for efficiency. Their ability to generate them at room temperature is an important achievement for the democratisation of quantum computing, offering direct applications for consumer quantum computing.
‘Researchers can now tell how accurate two-qubit calculations in silicon really are’ – UNSW Newsroom
Australian Scientists at UNSW have become the first team in the world to successfully measure the accuracy of silicon two-qubit operations. This major step in the fidelity and viability of quantum computing will have enormous ramifications for international security, particularly in the field of encryption.
‘Quantum bit communication breaks distance record’ – Futurity
“Breaking Records in Quantum ping-pong” University of Chicago creates a remote entanglement system using superconducting qubits that accurately exchanged quantum information along a meter long track.
‘For a Split Second, a Quantum Computer Made History Go Backward’ – The New York Times
Scientists at the Moscow Institute of Physics use a Quantum computer to undo the aging of a single, simulated elementary particle by one millionth of a second. Replicating it in nature is another question…
‘Open Source Release coming for Microsoft’s Quantum Development Kit’ – Microsoft
Microsoft reveals it will make their quantum computing development tools open source. Everyone from academic institutions to industry developers can freely make use of Q#, a programming language for writing Quantum code and a quantum simulator.
‘IBM Unveils Beta of Next Generation Quantum Development Platform’ – IBM
IBM announces public beta of the next generation of their quantum computing cloud service. This allows greater versatility for the quantum developer community who can now work on the cloud with Qiskit, an open-source framework for programming quantum.
‘Quantum computing a step closer to reality’ – Asia Times
A Joint Research Team from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and South China Normal University have discovered a novel method that increases the efficiency of producing photonic quantum memories by 70%.

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