Category Archives: Quantum Computer
The startup using ARMs blueprint to give European quantum a … – Sifted
Theres quite a bit of ground standing between humanity and a working quantum computer, and experts are worried that Europe could be left behind as the US and China pour billions into the technology.
But one startup from the small German city of Ulm believes it can help smaller players with less capital to compete against the big guns of Google and IBM, by addressing one of the key technical challenges in building a useful quantum computer.
QC Design which is today coming out of stealth mode is building technology to help quantum hardware companies fast track a process known as error correction: the task of getting more qubits (the quantum equivalent of a bit a unit of information in classical computing) working together to scale up the power of these machines.
Companies like Paris-based PASQAL,UK-based Quantum Motion and Finnish IQM are all building their own approaches to quantum computers, trying to increase the number of qubits in their systems.
But scaling up the number of qubits isn't the only challenge. To begin solving complex problems like finding new drugs or useful materials quantum computer builders also have to create something called logical qubits.
In simple terms, a logical qubit is a combination of hundreds of qubits working together to facilitate complex quantum calculations. This is difficult to achieve due to the very delicate nature of qubits, which generally have to be chilled to extremely low temperatures to keep them stable, making them expensive and difficult to operate.
This is where error correction comes in, as researchers build systems that counteract the natural faults that qubits make (a goal in quantum computing known as fault tolerance). But theres a big talent shortage in this field and Europe is far behind in the race, according to QC Design founder Ish Dhand.
American companies were here first and lots of the top error correction researchers from Europe and elsewhere in the world work with these big North American companies, he says.
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If you look at the companies that have blueprints and roadmaps to fault tolerance, these are predominantly North American companies. Even with the biggest companies in Europe which have really good physical qubits the roadmaps to fault tolerance are not yet there.
QC Design hopes it can level the playing field for smaller companies that can't hire the right kind of talent, by licensing them the technology they need to help them scale up their logical qubits.
This will be a mix of hardware architecture and software design, and Dhand tells Sifted that there are already around 50 quantum computing companies globally which could benefit from QC Designs architecture licences.
The company hasn't signed any clients yet, but says its opened early discussions with some quantum hardware builders.
The founder compares his company to an early-stage version of UK chip company ARM, which licences the IP for its chip architecture rather than making the chips itself.
Its just like ARM licences out designs the laptop that I'm talking from is an ARM-designed chip but ARM doesnt make any chips of their own. It's the designs that we licence out, says Dhand.
Comparisons to ARM are, of course, a little premature QC Design was founded in 2021 and employs 10 people. But the company did land pre-seed backing from deeptech investors Vsquared, Quantonation and Salvia last year, and could provide an important piece of the puzzle for companies trying to keep up with the best-funded players in quantum computing.
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The startup using ARMs blueprint to give European quantum a ... - Sifted
Researchers in Belgium move towards industrial production of qubits – ComputerWeekly.com
Shana Massar, engineer in thequantum computingprogrammeatImec, states: The goal of quantum computers is not to replace our already known classical computers for performing our daily tasks.We need quantum computers for a very particular set of problems, problems that have a high degree of complexity.
One example of a use case for quantum computing is solving optimisation problems; another is simulating molecular systems. This can be done to gain a better understanding of materials science and can also be done to help discover new drugs.
In a quantum computer, information is manipulated in a fundamentally different way than in a classical computer. In a classical computer, the logic element is a bit, which can take on one of two states: zero or one. In a quantum computer, the logic element isaqubit, or quantum bit, which is defined as any coherent two-level system that can be initialized, manipulated, and read.
If I look at the state of a bit, the state is either zero or one and this leads to deterministic measurement, while the qubit has a superposition of state, says Massar.
It is a linear combination of zero and one simultaneously. But after readout, its either zero or one along with a certain probability and this leads to probabilistic measurement.
The quantum computer has another feature, entanglement. The classical bit states are independent of each other, which leads to the fact that N bits store N states. But qubits can be entangled. They can be coupled, which means N qubits can process in some sense up to two to the power of N states. When we apply a logical operation to all those states at the same time, we get massive parallelisation and a very high computational power.
But none of these promises of quantum computing will ever come to fruition until somebody finds a way of producing reliable qubits in a repeatable manner. Qubits are currently implemented in labs in a customised fashion, but researchers at Imec would like to change that. They have started looking for ways to produce qubits on an industrial scale.
To build a one-million qubit system, or just a meaningful quantum computer, you have to reduce the qubit variability and increase the production yield, while maintaining the fidelity and coherence, saysKristiaanDe Greve, scientific director andprogrammedirectorfor Quantum Computing at Imec.
The methods that some of the best research labs in the world have been using will likely not allow you to go all the way. We have a different approach and are trying to see if we can use existing tools from the semiconductor industry, where they have produced very complex circuits, with low variability and high yield.
There are several different approaches to implementing qubits: quantum optics, trapped ions, magnetic resonance, superconductors, nitrogen vacancy in diamond, and quantum dots. Researchers at Imec focus on two technologies the superconducting devices and the semiconductor quantum dots.
One reason for these choices is that Imec sees those technologies as promising ways to make high-quality qubits. But the second reason the biggest reason for Imec is that qubits in those two technologies can be fabricated in a way that is first order compatible with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) facilities, facilities that Imec has in very high quality.
One challenge with both approaches is that they operate at very low temperatures. For this reason, Imec is also doing research in cryo electronics, electronics that can work at very low temperatures.
Imec aims to build suitable and stable qubits and qubit arrays along with the necessary electronic interfaces, which allow programmers to setup the qubits to run a program and then to read the results.
To discover optimal production techniques, Imec has set up a research process, where they try different materials, architectures and production techniques to produce qubits and then test the results to measure which techniques work best.
The first phase of its research is the design phase, where a team of experts run simulations to find the best design, given different materials and the required dimensions. When the design phase is completed, they move to the second phase, the fabrication phase, which begins by running other simulations to find optimal ways of creating the qubits, determining the most accurate process flow and the best settings and recipes.
Imec then process its sample in the fab, closely monitoring the different processing steps using inline characterisation. When the fabrication of the samples is successful, they move to the last phase cryo characterisation or characterisation at low temperature.
In the end, they wind up with a wafer full of dies, sub dies, and chips that they mount on a sample holder to put it in a refrigerator for measurements at very low temperature. The temperatures go down to just a few thousandths of a Kelvin, which is much cooler than outer space. Using the cryo measurements, Imec researchers extract qubit performance and characteristics and assess how well a given design and fabrication process works.
We are currently focusing our research on the fabrication of devices, and we are investigating different gate stack materials and patterning technology, says Massar. We are also investigating different substrate materials and formation recipes. And we look at the overall thermal budget of our processes and the consequence it has on the qubit quality.
At the same time, were working on the qubit control and design. Were improving the design of our devices, the controlling devices of the qubit and the measurement setup quality. As an example, over the past few months, we have worked on decreasing the electromagnetic noise in our measurement setup. This leads to a better quality on the qubit read.
At the other end, were also looking at the characterisation setup quality. We want to improve the qubit read and also improve our setup in terms of both the quantity of measurements and the quality of each measurement.
Imec has made big progress. Last year, it demonstrateda fab-compatible process to manufacture high-coherence superconducting qubits and are now transferring the process from the lab to the fab. By doing this, they hope to open new possibilities for manufacturing fab qubits with high coherence and low variability.
Whoknows? Maybe one day this will lead to a one-million qubit quantum computer.
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Researchers in Belgium move towards industrial production of qubits - ComputerWeekly.com
Chinese Scientists Achieve Breakthrough in Quantum Computing … – CityLife
Scientists in China have made a significant stride in the field of quantum computing, as they announce that their device, Jiuzhang, can perform tasks commonly utilized in artificial intelligence a staggering 180 million times faster than the worlds most powerful supercomputer.
The applications of their quantum computers problem-solving capabilities span various domains, including data mining, biological information, network analysis, and chemical modeling research, according to the researchers.
Led by Pan Jianwei, a physicist at the University of Science and Technology of China, often referred to as the countrys father of quantum, the team published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Physical Review Letters last month.
During the experiment, the team employed Jiuzhang to tackle a complex problem that poses challenges for classical computers. The quantum computer utilized over 200,000 samples to solve the problem.
Remarkably, the researchers successfully implemented and accelerated two algorithms commonly employed in AI, namely random search and simulated annealing, marking the first time a quantum computer has achieved such a feat.
To put the speed into perspective, the fastest classical supercomputer in the world would require 700 seconds for each sample, which equates to nearly five years to process the same number of samples. However, Jiuzhang accomplished this task in less than a second.
An article published by Physics, a magazine from the American Physical Society reporting on papers from the Physical Review journals, highlighted the significance of the teams achievement. The editor noted that the result extends the list of tasks for which todays noisy quantum computers offer an advantage over classical computers.
In the realm of traditional computing, a bit represents either zero or one as its fundamental unit of information. Quantum computing takes it a step further with qubits, which can represent zero, one, or both simultaneously, showcasing the peculiar nature of quantum mechanics.
Due to their ability to simultaneously represent all possibilities, quantum computers hold immense theoretical power and speed compared to the regular computers we rely on in our daily lives.
However, the subatomic particles at the core of this technology are delicate, short-lived, and vulnerable to errors caused by even the slightest disturbance from the surroundings. To mitigate disruption, most quantum computers operate in extremely cold and isolated environments.
Named after a 2,000-year-old Chinese mathematics text, Jiuzhang employs light as its physical medium for computation. Unlike other quantum computers, Jiuzhang does not necessitate operation in extremely low temperatures, providing greater stability and longer operating times.
As the research progresses, the quantum processors advantage over classical algorithms optimized for solving graph problems remains an open question, according to the Physics article. Nonetheless, this breakthrough paves the way for further exploration of real-world applications using existing noisy intermediate-scale quantum computers.
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Chinese Scientists Achieve Breakthrough in Quantum Computing ... - CityLife
Q&A with Marco Pistoia, an HPCwire Person to Watch in 2023 – HPCwire
HPCwire Person to Watch Marco Pistoia wears a lot of hats at JPMorgan Chase & Co.: managing director, distinguished engineer, head of global technology applied research and head of quantum computing. That work with JPMorgan started in 2020; prior to that, Pistoia was a senior manager, distinguished research staff member and master inventor at IBMs Thomas J. Watson Research Center, where he worked for 24 years.
Indeed, the financial services sector lends itself to quantum computing, for two main reasons: the abundance of use cases, and the fact that in finance, time is of the essence. Markets are very volatile, and for this reason financial applications need to be executed in real time without sacrificing accuracy. At JPMorgan Chase, we are particularly interested inderivative pricing, variousoptimizationproblems (particularly forfinancial portfolios), and use cases in the domain ofmachine learning, such asextractive text summarization. In general, any use case that exhibits exponential complexity are of interest to us, because quantum computing has the potential to reduce the complexity of problems, making them more scalable.
It is hard to predict when quantum computers will become sufficiently powerful to break todays asymmetric cryptography. Indeed, quantum hardware providers are making significant progress, showing roadmaps that promise usable computers with hundreds of high-quality qubits (if not thousands), coming in the next few years. Unfortunately, quantum threats are already present today. The advent of quantum computing is enabling a new type of cyber-attack, which the National Security Agency (NSA) defined as harvest now, decrypt later, indicating that attackers do not need to wait for a powerful quantum computer to break todays cryptography; they canand they are already known to be doing thistake a snapshot of confidential data encrypted today, with the intent of decrypting it when a sufficiently powerful quantum computer becomes available.
To this end, JPMorgan Chase is simultaneously pursuing two complementary solutions: (a) Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC), consisting of new, classical cryptographic algorithms that were designed be resistant to known quantum attacks, and (b) Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), the only cryptographic protocol mathematically proven to be unconditionally secure. QKD leverages principles of quantum mechanics and allows two parties to generate and use the same secret key for secure communication, with the very desirable property of instantaneous detection of eavesdroppers. In 2022, JPMorgan Chase, Toshiba and Cienademonstratedthe first QKD network capable of supporting production-quality, mission-critical applications, including Blockchain.
At this time, quantum computers are not yet usable in production because they do not have the number of qubits necessary to surpass classical computers, and error correction is still at the prototype level. The value of research in quantum algorithms is not just about developing new quantum methods, but also about the careful investigation of complex classical tasks and existing bottlenecks. Quantum Computing may also inspire new classical algorithms beyond the current state of the art. We welcome the prospect of using quantum-inspired algorithms that work better than traditional classical algorithms to solve high-complexity problems, while we wait for quantum computers to become sufficiently powerful. Generally, quantum computing will be applied to very complex use cases, where classical computing poses unavoidable limitations.y
Beyond quantum computing, there are other areas of research that we are pursuing at JPMorgan Chase to address notable emerging trends. For example, JPMorgan Chase is making a significant effort towards transitioning some of its use cases to Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) to maximize their efficiency and user experience. We are also enhancing our working environment with Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G technology, which is another area of active research aiming to enable connectivity and productivity in working environments.
I always found myself interested in science and technology. I earned my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mathematics from the University of Rome, Italy, and my Ph.D., also in Mathematics, from New York University. Math is the foundation of any scientific discipline. Therefore, my recommendation to my own children, as well to anyone who wants to work in science and technology, is to invest as much time and energy as they can in learning math well.
I am a passionate body builder. I lift heavy weights every day and I scrupulously watch my diet to make sure I maximize protein intake and minimize fats and carbs. Body building is not just a hobby for me, but a discipline that I use to feel better about myself, discharge stress/negativity, and live a healthier lifestyle.
Pistoia is one of 12 HPCwire People to Watch for 2023. You can read the interviews with the other honorees at this link.
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Q&A with Marco Pistoia, an HPCwire Person to Watch in 2023 - HPCwire
Exploring high demand Jobs and in emerging technologies – The Jerusalem Post
The past decade has witnessed remarkable advancements in technology, shaping the way we live and work. Beyond artificial intelligence (AI), several other groundbreaking technologies have emerged, becoming crucial knowledge areas and highly sought-after skills. In this article, we will delve into these technologies, explore how to prepare for them, and discuss their future implications for both predictions and the job market, focusing on high demand jobs and tech jobs in demand.
The Technological Landscape:
In recent years, alongside AI, numerous technologies have gained prominence. These include blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), robotics, cybersecurity, data science, and cloud computing. Each of these fields has experienced rapid growth and is poised to shape the future of various industries, offering high demand jobs and most in demand tech jobs.
Preparing for the Future:
To thrive in the evolving job market, individuals should consider specializing in these emerging technologies. Investing time and effort into gaining expertise in these areas can open doors to exciting career opportunities. It is essential to stay updated with the latest advancements, enroll in relevant courses, participate in industry conferences and events, and engage in practical projects that allow for hands-on experience. By honing skills in these cutting-edge fields, professionals can position themselves at the forefront of innovation and secure high-demand jobs, particularly in the tech industry.
Quantum Computing:
While AI has been transformative in the past decade, quantum computing is emerging as another groundbreaking field. The Quantum Decade signifies the transition of quantum computing from a futuristic concept to a practical and valuable asset for enterprises. This ongoing era presents unprecedented opportunities for organizations to leverage quantum computing and gain a competitive advantage, creating high demand jobs in the tech sector.
By navigating the various stages of organizational evolution, from Quantum Awareness to Quantum Advantage, forward-thinking leaders and companies can effectively position themselves in this new world of quantum computing. The third edition of The Quantum Decade offers valuable insights into recent progress in quantum computing, industry-specific applications, and advancements in quantum error mitigation and quantum speed-up. Quantum computing holds immense promise in addressing real-world problems, driving sustainable solutions, and even contributing to finding cures for diseases like COVID-19, thus leading to high demand jobs in the field.
To embark on a journey in quantum computing, a solid background in physics, mathematics, and computer science is essential, encompassing crucial concepts such as superposition, quantum mechanics, and algorithms. Online courses and programs offered by esteemed institutions like MIT, Imperial College London, and the University of Warwick provide valuable learning opportunities to acquire these foundational skills, helping individuals secure high demand jobs in the tech industry.
Graduates in the field of quantum computing can pursue exciting careers across diverse industries, ranging from automotive and finance to energy and materials. Leading companies such as IBM Q and Delta Airlines are already making significant strides in this emerging field, offering high demand jobs for those with expertise in quantum computing. The future of work lies in quantum computing, making it imperative to seize the present moment and prepare for the transformative impact it will have on the global job market and industries as a whole.
Quantum Programming:
Another emerging field within quantum computing is quantum programming, which involves creating quantum circuits and executing them on quantum computers. Specializing in quantum programming not only puts individuals at the forefront of transformative technology but also opens doors to exciting career opportunities as widespread adoption of quantum computing is projected to take place by 2030. Tech jobs in this field will be in high demand.
Quantum software development is still in its infancy but holds immense potential for various industries. Industry giants like IBM, Intel, Google, Honeywell, and others are fiercely competing to build more powerful quantum computers. The impact of quantum computing on fields like cybersecurity, finance, supply chain management, pharmaceuticals, defense, and weather forecasting can be revolutionary, creating high demand jobs in these sectors. While hardware is crucial, powerful software is equally essential for quantum computing to fulfill its promise.
Currently, quantum software development is in its early stages, with programming languages like Qiskit and Cirq operating at the gate or building-block level. Writing quantum software requires expertise in quantum information theory, quantum physics, and linear algebra, making it a complex task. The shortage of skilled quantum software engineers poses a challenge, as they need to possess a Ph.D.-level understanding of both quantum concepts and programming.
To address this challenge, the emergence of a high-level language analogous to VHDL for digital circuit design is expected in quantum computing. This language will enable the translation of high-level concepts into gate-level implementations, facilitating the design of complex quantum algorithms, promoting code reuse, and accelerating the development of quantum software. Advancements in quantum algorithm design software will not only enable the implementation of sophisticated algorithms on advanced machines but also expand the talent pool and foster collaboration between domain experts and quantum engineers, thus increasing the number of high demand jobs in the tech industry.
If you're considering a career in quantum computing, it's important to understand the field's fundamental theory, which is based on quantum mechanics and enables processing operations and solving problems beyond the capabilities of standard computers. To start a career in quantum computing, obtaining a relevant bachelor's degree in fields such as computer science, physics, programming, or mathematics is essential. However, pursuing a graduate or doctoral degree is highly recommended to deepen knowledge and engage in quantum information research, enhancing your chances of securing high demand jobs in the field.
Job opportunities in the quantum computing industry can be pursued by leveraging networking connections and reviewing job postings that align with interests and expertise, even if they may not explicitly mention quantum computing. Strong research skills and a deep understanding of physics, applied math, and computer science methodologies are crucial for professional growth in the field. Continuous learning and staying up-to-date with advancements are essential for securing high demand tech jobs in the quantum computing industry.
The AI Boom:
The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is experiencing rapid growth, resulting in a significant increase in AI jobs opportunities and a revitalization of the industry. As AI technologies continue to advance, companies across various sectors are recognizing the potential and value of incorporating AI into their operations. This trend has led to a surge in demand for professionals skilled in AI-related roles, such as data scientists, software engineers, and machine learning engineers. The expanding field of AI not only provides ample job prospects but also drives innovation and transformation across industries, making it one of the most in demand tech jobs.
Blockchain:
The rise of AI has propelled the field of blockchain to new heights, as AI-driven cryptography enhances the security and integrity of data. Blockchain maestros now harness advanced AI algorithms to strengthen cryptographic techniques, ensuring robust privacy and data protection. By leveraging AI, developers gain a deeper understanding of cryptographic algorithms, hash functions, digital signatures, and public-key encryption. Additionally, AI empowers blockchain developers with enhanced security practices, safeguarding against hacking attempts and cyber threats. Through the fusion of AI and blockchain, developers can construct secure and reliable blockchain solutions that are at the forefront of data protection. Blockchain technology offers high demand jobs in the tech sector.
AR, VR, XR:
The integration of AI technology has revolutionized the world of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and extended reality (XR). The rise of AI has unlocked a multitude of possibilities, making these immersive technologies more impactful than ever before. AI algorithms now drive advancements in areas such as object recognition, scene understanding, and gesture detection, enhancing the user experience in AR, VR, and XR environments. As demand for these technologies skyrockets, AI plays a crucial role in designing, developing, and researching new immersive experiences. AI-driven advancements not only promote accessibility and inclusivity but also contribute to the emergence of the "metaverse," a shared virtual space that offers endless opportunities for interaction and exploration. High demand tech jobs can be found in the AR, VR, and XR sectors.
IoT:
The proliferation of AI has significantly accelerated the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. As AI technologies advance, IoT developers now leverage AI algorithms to unlock the true potential of connected devices. AI enhances the device layer by enabling smart sensors and endpoint IoT devices to process and analyze data more intelligently, leading to improved decision-making and automation. Moreover, AI empowers IoT developers with advanced data analytics capabilities, enabling real-time insights, predictive modeling, and machine learning algorithms. With AI and IoT converging, developers can create intelligent systems that seamlessly connect the physical and digital worlds, revolutionizing industries such as healthcare, transportation, and smart cities. High demand jobs are available in the IoT field.
Edge Computing:
The rise of AI has brought edge computing to the forefront of technological advancements. AI plays a crucial role in optimizing edge computing environments by processing and analyzing data closer to the source, reducing latency, and enabling real-time decision-making. Through AI-driven algorithms, edge developers can leverage machine learning and deep learning models to extract valuable insights from massive amounts of data generated by edge devices. AI at the edge empowers developers to enhance performance, conserve resources, and provide intelligent services to edge devices, all while ensuring data privacy and security. As AI continues to evolve, edge development becomes an indispensable competency for developers, enabling the deployment of AI-powered intelligence at the edge for a wide range of applications. High demand jobs can be found in the edge computing sector.
Robotics:
The rise of AI has fueled the advancement of robotics, enabling the development of intelligent machines that can perceive, learn, and interact with the world around them. AI algorithms have revolutionized computer vision, enabling robots to understand and interpret visual information in real-time. Machine learning and reinforcement learning algorithms empower robots to acquire new skills, adapt to dynamic environments, and make informed decisions. With AI as a driving force, robotics software engineers can design and optimize robotic systems to perform complex tasks efficiently and autonomously. The synergy between AI and robotics is reshaping industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics, unlocking unprecedented possibilities for automation and human-robot collaboration. High demand tech jobs can be pursued in the robotics industry.
Conclusion:
Over the past decade, AI has ushered in transformative technologies with promising futures. From blockchain to AR/VR/XR, IoT, edge computing, and robotics, these fields are set to thrive with AI as their driving force, creating numerous high demand jobs. The job market is expected to expand significantly, offering abundant opportunities for individuals with expertise in these emerging technologies. Quantum computing is poised to revolutionize computation, tackling complex problems and unlocking new possibilities, leading to a surge in high demand jobs in the tech industry. As we navigate this dynamic field, staying informed and acquiring relevant skills in high demand tech jobs will be key to thriving in this era of technological innovation.
This article was written in cooperation with Expoint
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Exploring high demand Jobs and in emerging technologies - The Jerusalem Post
Graphene and Quantum Computing: A Match Made in Heaven – CityLife
Graphene and Quantum Computing: A Match Made in Heaven
Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, has been hailed as a wonder material since its discovery in 2004. This ultra-thin, ultra-strong material has the potential to revolutionize industries ranging from electronics to medicine. One area where graphenes unique properties could have a particularly profound impact is in the realm of quantum computing.
Quantum computing is an emerging field that seeks to harness the strange and powerful properties of quantum mechanics to perform calculations far beyond the capabilities of classical computers. While still in its infancy, quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize fields such as cryptography, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence. However, the development of practical quantum computers has been hampered by a number of technical challenges, including the need for materials that can support and manipulate delicate quantum states.
This is where graphene comes in. Graphenes remarkable electronic properties make it an ideal candidate for use in quantum computing. For one, graphene is an excellent conductor of electricity, with electrons able to move through the material with very little resistance. This property could be used to create ultra-fast, low-power quantum computing devices.
Moreover, graphenes two-dimensional structure gives it unique quantum properties. Electrons in graphene behave as if they have no mass, allowing them to move at extremely high speeds and follow the rules of quantum mechanics rather than classical physics. This means that graphene could potentially be used to create quantum bits, or qubits, the fundamental building blocks of quantum computers.
Qubits are the quantum equivalent of classical bits, which represent information as either a 0 or a 1. However, qubits can exist in a superposition of both 0 and 1 simultaneously, allowing quantum computers to perform many calculations at once. This parallelism is what gives quantum computers their immense potential for solving complex problems.
One of the key challenges in building a quantum computer is maintaining the delicate quantum states of qubits. Quantum states are easily disturbed by their environment, leading to errors in calculations. This phenomenon, known as decoherence, is a major obstacle to the development of practical quantum computers.
Graphenes unique properties could help address this issue. The materials two-dimensional structure means that it can be easily integrated with other materials, such as superconductors, which are essential for maintaining quantum states. Additionally, graphenes high electron mobility could be used to create devices that can manipulate and control qubits with high precision.
Recent research has demonstrated the potential of graphene for quantum computing applications. In one study, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) were able to create a graphene-based device that could control the flow of electrons with a high degree of precision. This device, known as a valleytronics system, could potentially be used to create qubits that are less susceptible to decoherence.
In another study, researchers at the University of Cambridge were able to use graphene to create a new type of qubit that is both more stable and more easily controlled than existing designs. This topological qubit could be a major step forward in the development of practical quantum computers.
While there is still much work to be done, it is clear that graphene has the potential to play a crucial role in the development of quantum computing. The marriage of these two cutting-edge fields could lead to breakthroughs that were once thought to be the stuff of science fiction. As researchers continue to explore the potential of graphene and quantum computing, we may be on the cusp of a new era of technological innovation that will reshape our world in ways we can only begin to imagine.
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Graphene and Quantum Computing: A Match Made in Heaven - CityLife
Cyberwarfare: How the IDF safeguards strategic assets in the digital … – Ynetnews
The artificial intelligence craze sweeping the planet has not skipped intelligence and defense systems, especially since the Israel Defense Forces and many other western militaries have been utilizing it for years - but it's the leap in generative AI that is noteworthy.
How quickly has every child been able to transform himself into a professional painter, author and even hacker, is a phenomenon that we all need to take a pause for and be mindful of, as it exemplifies how quickly forceful technology has made the shift from obscure laboratories, hidden from public view, to the every child's bedroom.
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The IDF is spearheading cyberwarfare
(Photo: Dana Koppel)
Take quantum computing, for instance.
The crumbling of cipher keys has become every security system's biggest nightmare scenario for 2023. We're talking about a situation in which internal communications, computer networks and operational documents become publicly exposed, which will surely signal an unprecedented security breach.
As far as Israel goes, it was in 1997, when the Ansariya ambush, in which a unit from the Israeli Navys special operation unit, Shayetet 13, on a mission in South Lebanon, stumbled into a deadly ambush by Islamic Resistance guerrillas, leaving 12 operatives dead.
While in a civilian context the day-to-day war of attrition against hackers is conducted in the name of protecting private clients and patents, in the military realm, it is about protecting a country's strategic assets.
In a more narrowly defined Israeli context, it means protecting the Iron Dome missile defense system, the digital emergency alarm array and operational details ingrained in top secret IDF plans.
Cyberwarfare is divided between military intelligence and C4I corps, the IDF's elite technological unit. The Cyber Defense Brigade was established six years ago, and the most intriguing component of that brigade is the Center of Encryption and Information Security.
That's where ciphers and codes are developed, serving the IDF, Shin Bet, Mossad and many other governmental bodies.
The Center of Encryption and Information Security officials say that the most convenient part of cyber is dealing with what's known and familiar. The future, on the other hand, gets trickier to deal with, and that entails quantum computing.
It is a rather advanced processing method, based on observations made in quantum mechanics. "Quantum computers will be able to instantaneously perform tasks that today's computers would require at least a millennia. They would easily crack today's ciphers," a lieutenant colonel from the unit says.
"When you currently connect to your bank account, work, email or WhatsApp, various components ensure the security of your access. One crucial element is an algorithm called RSA, which relies on intricate mathematical problems," he says.
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IBM's quantum computer at an exhibition in Germany
(Photo: Shutterstock)
"While these problems can theoretically be solved, they are notoriously complex and time-consuming, even for supercomputers. However, with the advent of quantum computers, RSA encryption could be defeated within seconds.
"This implies that hackers or adversaries would possess nearly limitless computing power to decrypt traditional ciphers. Consequently, sensitive and encrypted data could be compromised today, with the potential to decrypt it once a quantum computer of sufficient strength becomes accessible," the lieutenant colonel explains.
Could this danger materialize tomorrow?"That would depend on your definition of tomorrow. Major technology companies are already demonstrating remarkable advancements in this domain, with estimates suggesting that they will develop a stable and dependable quantum computer within the next five to 10 years.
"From the perspective of the IDF, this timeline is alarmingly brief. We consider it highly likely that within the coming decade, quantum computers will fall into the hands of entities interested in accessing the IDF's classified information. Consequently, we have been diligently studying this subject since the mid-2000s."
"Keep in mind, this is uncharted territory," says a major in the unit. "Here, we do not rely on pre-existing textbooks or established foundations. We are tasked with starting from scratch, immersing ourselves in comprehensive self-learning and research. What's more, we take on the responsibility of developing our own curriculum and training individuals from the ground up."
Aside from its computational applications, quantum technology has the kind of applications that could rival an episode of "Star Trek." Many of these advancements are poised to have a profound impact on the military system, with some already being partially realized.
An example of this can be observed in the use of Lidar technology, which employs quantum sensors for laser-based object mapping. It is already integrated into autonomous vehicles, smartphones and is instrumental in generating highly detailed maps.
Quantum sensors will also enable remarkably precise navigation, independent of GPS satellites or similar systems. Furthermore, quantum communication promises stable and secure connections over considerable distances, often spanning dozens of miles.
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Cyberwarfare could soon replace traditional battlefields
(Photo: Courtesy)
But with many of those serving in these specialized cyber units ranging from 18 to 30 years of age, it raises the question: How would a bunch of kids solve problems that the planet's finest minds are still struggling with?
The lieutenant colonel is optimistic about that. "First, and this may sound trite, I firmly believe in the exceptionalism of the 'Jewish mind,' particularly in the realm of mathematics. Since its inception, the proportion of graduates from the mathematical field who have gone on to become esteemed doctors and professors in academia is remarkable.
"Second, the IDF possesses a unique advantage in its ability to bring together the brightest minds in one place, all working toward solving the same problems. Unlike academia, where minds are dispersed and lack a unified mission, the IDF provides a concrete operational context for our missions.
"Moreover, we receive continuous support from reserve personnel and external consultants who have successfully passed through rigorous security clearance protocols. The IDF benefits from a wealth of research knowledge accumulated over decades."
How do you research quantum computing with a quantum computer?"The research we conduct is based on algorithms and, in theory, it can be performed since we understand the behavior involved. However, it's evident that for demonstration and testing purposes, a quantum computer is necessary, which is currently unavailable in Israel.
"To overcome this limitation, we rely on quantum computing services provided by prominent international software giants through the cloud. We make use of these services extensively for our research endeavors."
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Cyberwarfare: How the IDF safeguards strategic assets in the digital ... - Ynetnews
Scientists Create Artificial Molecules That Mimic Real Ones – Mirage News
Scientists from the Radboud University have developed synthetic molecules that resemble real organic molecules. A collaboration of researchers, led by Alex Khajetoorians and Daniel Wegner, can now simulate the behaviour of real molecules by using artificial molecules. In this way, they can tweak properties of molecules in ways that are normally difficult or unrealistic, and they can understand much better how molecules change.
Emil Sierda, who was in charge of conducting the experiments at Radboud University: A few years ago we had this crazy idea to build a quantum simulator. We wanted to create artificial molecules that resembled real molecules. So we developed a system in which we can trap electrons. Electrons surround a molecule like a cloud, and we used those trapped electrons to build an artificial molecule. The results the team found were astonishing. Sierda: The resemblance between what we built and real molecules was uncanny.
Alex Khajetoorians, head of the Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) department at the Institute for Molecules and Materials of Radboud University: Making molecules is difficult enough. What is often harder, is to understand how certain molecules react, for example how they change when they are twisted or altered. How molecules change and react is the basis of chemistry, and leads to chemical reactions, like the formation of water from hydrogen and oxygen. We wanted to simulate molecules, so we could have the ultimate toolkit to bend them and tune them in ways that are nearly impossible with real molecules. In that way we can say something about real molecules, without making them, or without having to deal with the challenges they present, like their constantly changing shape.
Using this simulator, the researchers created an artificial version of one of the basic organic molecules in chemistry: benzene. Benzene is the starting component for a vast amount of chemicals, like styrene, which is used to make polystyrene. Khajetoorians: By making benzene, we simulated a textbook organic molecule, and built a molecule that is made up of elements that are not organic. Above that: the molecules are 10 times bigger than their real counterparts, which makes them easier to work with.
The uses of this new technique are endless. Daniel Wegner, assistant professor within the SPM department: We have only begun to imagine what we can use this for. We have so many ideas that it is hard to decide where to start. By using the simulator, scientists can understand molecules and their reactions much better, which will help in every scientific field imaginable. Wegner: New materials for future computer hardware are really hard to make, for instance. By making a simulated version, we can look for the novel properties and functionalities of certain molecules and evaluate whether it will be worth making the real material. In the far future, all kinds of things may be possible: understanding chemical reactions step by step like in a slow-motion video, or making artificial single-molecule electronic devices, like shrinking the size of a transistor on a computer chip. Quantum simulators are even suggested to perform as quantum computers. Sierda: But thats a long way to go, for now we can start by beginning to understand molecules in a way we never understood before.
The research was conducted by a Radboud University collaboration between the groups of Malte Rsner (Theory of Condensed Matter), Mikhail Katsnelson (Theory of Condensed Matter), Gerrit Groenenboom (Theoretical Chemistry), Daniel Wegner (SPM) and Alex Khajetoorians (SPM).
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Scientists Create Artificial Molecules That Mimic Real Ones - Mirage News
Study combines quantum computing and generative AI for drug discovery – Phys.org
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Insilico Medicine, a clinical stage generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery company, today announced that it combined two rapidly developing technologies, quantum computing and generative AI, to explore lead candidate discovery in drug development and successfully demonstrated the potential advantages of quantum generative adversarial networks in generative chemistry.
The study, published in the Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, was led by Insilico's Taiwan and UAE centers which focus on pioneering and constructing breakthrough methods and engines with rapidly developing technologiesincluding generative AI and quantum computingto accelerate drug discovery and development.
The research was supported by University of Toronto Acceleration Consortium director Aln Aspuru-Guzik, Ph.D., and scientists from the Hon Hai (Foxconn) Research Institute.
"This international collaboration was a very fun project," said Aln Aspuru-Guzik, director of the Acceleration Consortium and professor of computer science and chemistry at the University of Toronto. "It sets the stage for further developments in AI as it meets drug discovery. This is a global collaboration where Foxconn, Insilico, Zapata Computing, and University of Toronto are working together."
Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) are one of the most successful generative models in drug discovery and design and have shown remarkable results for generating data that mimics a data distribution in different tasks. The classic GAN model consists of a generator and a discriminator. The generator takes random noises as input and tries to imitate the data distribution, and the discriminator tries to distinguish between the fake and real samples. A GAN is trained until the discriminator cannot distinguish the generated data from the real data.
In this paper, researchers explored the quantum advantage in small molecule drug discovery by substituting each part of MolGAN, an implicit GAN for small molecular graphs, with a variational quantum circuit (VQC), step by step, including as the noise generator, generator with the patch method, and quantum discriminator, comparing its performance with the classical counterpart.
The study not only demonstrated that the trained quantum GANs can generate training-set-like molecules by using the VQC as the noise generator, but that the quantum generator outperforms the classical GAN in the drug properties of generated compounds and the goal-directed benchmark.
In addition, the study showed that the quantum discriminator of GAN with only tens of learnable parameters can generate valid molecules and outperforms the classical counterpart with tens of thousands parameters in terms of generated molecule properties and KL-divergence score.
"Quantum computing is recognized as the next technology breakthrough which will make a great impact, and the pharmaceutical industry is believed to be among the first wave of industries benefiting from the advancement," said Jimmy Yen-Chu Lin, Ph.D., GM of Insilico Medicine Taiwan and corresponding author of the paper. "This paper demonstrates Insilico's first footprint in quantum computing with AI in molecular generation, underscoring our vision in the field."
Building on these findings, Insilico scientists plan to integrate the hybrid quantum GAN model into Chemistry42, the Company's proprietary small molecule generation engine, to further accelerate and improve its AI-driven drug discovery and development process.
Insilico was one of the first to use GANs in de novo molecular design, and published the first paper in this field in 2016. The Company has delivered 11 preclinical candidates by GAN-based generative AI models and its lead program has been validated in Phase I clinical trials.
"I am proud of the positive results our quantum computing team has achieved through their efforts and innovation," said Alex Zhavoronkov, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine. "I believe this is the first small step in our journey. We are currently working on a breakthrough experiment with a real quantum computer for chemistry and look forward to sharing Insilico's best practices with industry and academia."
More information: Po-Yu Kao et al, Exploring the Advantages of Quantum Generative Adversarial Networks in Generative Chemistry, Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00562
The data acquisition code and source codes associated with this study are publicly available at: github.com/pykao/QuantumMolGAN-PyTorch
Journal information: Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling
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Study combines quantum computing and generative AI for drug discovery - Phys.org
The race to protect us from a computer that can break any password – inews
Just as quantum computers are a complex subject, so too are the defences being created to counter them. But David Williams of Arqit says theres no need to feel intimidated.
You dont need to worry about how it works, he says. Most people cant explain how a silicon chip works, they just accept that the ones in their phones and computers work.
There are several potential solutions being proposed by rival scientists, cryptographers and tech entrepreneurs. One is quantum key distribution, commonly called QKD.
Tim Spiller is researching this technology at the University of York as a member of the UKs Quantum Communications Hub, a network that unites academics with telecoms industry partners such as BT and Toshiba.
QKD relies on quantum mechanics to detect if anyone is spying on a message youre sending. If someone intercepts it and has a cheeky look, you can find out that theyve done that, because they cant avoid disturbing the quantum signals, explains Spiller. That disturbance is built into nature, its not something that people can get around in the future They will never be able to overcome that.
If we know that it hasnt been intercepted, then a mechanism can set up shared keys for encryption with a promise that no one else knows that shared key.
But there are major downsides to QKD. It still relies on some form of cryptography, which could still be cracked. It can detect an eavesdropper but it cant stop them. Plus, it will require substantial new hardware to be installed everywhere, admits Spiller. Thats going to be a lot of work and cost a lot of money. He and his team are trying to create QKD networks that dont need new bits of machinery, but he admits this idea remains far from realisation.
Some industry sources worry that too much public money is being invested in this technology despite the NCSC saying it does not endorse QKD for any government or military applications.
Instead, officials on both sides of the Atlantic publicly back post-quantum cryptography. This relies on developing algorithms so advanced that even a quantum computer cant break them, to create genuinely impregnable internet security.
Can you come up with new maths that isnt vulnerable? That is a very important question, says Spiller. People are coming up with new algorithms There are good reasons for thinking these may well be immune to a quantum computer attack but you cant prove that people wont come up with something clever in future and break them.
In 2016, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced a competition. It appealed for cryptographers around the world to develop new algorithms, in the hope that at least one of them would turn out to be quantum-proof while still resistant against old-fashioned hackers on conventional computers.
In all, 82 were submitted. By last year, just a handful were left. Even at this stage, however, some contenders turned out to be flawed. One entry, SIKE, was cracked in a single hour by a conventional computer. But a US-developed algorithm, Kyber, has now been approved for use by NIST.
Post-Quantum have been working on another finalist, Classic McEliece, together with the US computer scientist Professor Daniel Bernstein. The teams creation has already been endorsed by the German and Dutch authorities and they are highly confident it will also be selected by NIST after further assessment.
The algorithm has been proven to be the most secure in the world, claims Andersen Cheng. We did a lot of deep tech, when the whole world was laughing at us, but we persisted Were very proud. It is built on an algorithm that has existed since the 70s yet has never been cracked and has now been strengthened even more, he explains.
The British-based team have also created a quantum-safe virtual private network (VPN) which has been tested by Nato. It is now endorsed as an industry standard for other VPN developers to use.
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The race to protect us from a computer that can break any password - inews