Quantum News Briefs: January 26, 2024: University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) leads NATO program partners in project to address impact of quantum technology on global security; UChicago signs partnership at Davos to promote quantum science; Colorado plans to offer tax credits, loan guarantees to quantum-technology startups and expanding companies; The Quantum Leap: 3 Stocks to Buy for the Age of Quantum Computing; and MORE!
Quantum News Briefs: January 26, 2024:
University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) leads NATO program partners in project to address impact of quantum technology on global security
Researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) are spearheading a NATO partnership project to tackle security challenges posed by quantum technologies. This initiative, funded under the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme, aims to counteract the potential of quantum computers to compromise digital communications by breaking current public-key cryptosystems. The multi-year project involves collaboration with institutions across four nations, focusing on developing secure communication protocols using classical and quantum technologies. Key areas of research include counter-terrorism, cyber defense, and environmental security. The initiative also emphasizes training young scientists in post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD), with UAH playing a central role in the project’s experimental and theoretical aspects. This effort aligns with the U.S. national security strategy to maintain leadership in quantum computing while safeguarding cryptographic systems.
UChicago signs partnership at Davos to promote quantum science
The University of Chicago, Seoul National University, and the University of Tokyo have taken a significant step in advancing quantum science and technology through a new global partnership. This collaboration was formalized with a letter of intent signed during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The agreement, involving academic exchange and research in quantum science, aligns with previous announcements by IBM to support quantum education activities with these universities. This initiative has garnered recognition and praise from the national security advisors of the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, highlighting its importance in advancing quantum technology and workforce development. President Alivisatos of the University of Chicago emphasized its long-standing leadership in quantum research and its commitment to fostering global scientific collaboration. This partnership is part of a series of international quantum science collaborations that the University of Chicago has embarked on, including partnerships with IIT Bombay, IBM, Google, and Tohoku University, showcasing its dedication to leading the quantum technology revolution.
Colorado plans to offer tax credits, loan guarantees to quantum-technology startups and expanding companies
Colorado is positioning itself as a key player in the burgeoning quantum technology sector with new state incentives to attract quantum companies. Governor Jared Polis announced these incentives at the Denver Mountain West Elevate Quantum Summit, marking a significant step for the state’s tech industry. The incentives include a bill to create tax credits for quantum companies to purchase equipment and build collaborative labs and a novel loan guarantee program to assist startups in securing capital. This move is part of Colorado’s broader strategy to become a major U.S. Tech Hub for quantum technology, a designation it received in October as part of a Biden administration initiative. The state’s support is vital in securing further federal funding, with a potential $75 million implementation grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration on the horizon. Colorado’s quantum sector has a rich history, dating back to the 1950s with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder. Recent developments in the area, including substantial venture capital investments in local quantum startups, highlight the state’s growing prominence in this cutting-edge field.
University of Colorado Boulder Physicists Look at What coffee with cream can teach us about quantum physics
A team of researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, led by associate professor of physics Rahul Nandkishore, has made a significant theoretical advancement in quantum computing. Their study, recently published in Physical Review Letters, demonstrates that it is theoretically possible to create a state in quantum computer chips where information remains unaltered, akin to cream in coffee never mixing even with stirring. This concept, “ergodicity breaking,” could revolutionize how quantum information is stored. In traditional quantum computing, qubits (quantum bits) can easily become disorganized, but Nandkishore’s team suggests arranging qubits in specific patterns could allow them to retain information despite disturbances. This research, which still requires experimental validation, could lead to the development of quantum memory, enabling quantum computers to store information in a stable, un-degraded form. This advance challenges the current understanding of statistical physics, suggesting that some systems can resist thermal equilibrium, a foundational concept in the field.
In Other News: CoinTelegraph article: “Scientists figure out how to surpass ‘quantum advantage’ with binary computers”
A team from the Flatiron Institute and New York University has challenged the notion of “quantum advantage” by developing a classical computing method that outperforms IBM’s quantum computer, a new CoinTelegraph article states. In June 2023, IBM demonstrated “quantum utility,” where their quantum system outperformed a binary computer in a specific task. However, the New York researchers’ new approach, utilizing a tensor network, has proven more accurate and precise than the quantum processor and many other classical methods. This development indicates that quantum advantage is a constantly evolving target, where quantum systems are expected to perform tasks faster and more accurately than binary systems. Despite the rapid progress in quantum computing, with companies like IBM and QuEra projecting significant advancements in the near future, this recent research highlights the ongoing relevance and evolution of classical binary computing, suggesting that it’s not ready to be outmoded just yet.
In Other News: Forbes article: “Embracing The Future With Quantum Computing In Higher Education”
The advent of quantum computing marks a seismic shift in the digital landscape, promising to eclipse the impact of all prior technological revolutions, says Nuno Fernandes, President of APUS, in a recent Forbes article. Central to this transformation is the quantum bit, or qubit, capable of existing in multiple states simultaneously, as explained by experts like Daniel Lidar and Dr. Michio Kaku. This capability positions quantum computing to perform complex calculations at unprecedented speeds, as demonstrated by Google Sycamore’s computational prowess. The convergence of quantum computing with artificial intelligence could lead to breakthroughs in various fields, including materials science. However, this technological advancement brings significant cybersecurity risks, with entities like the NSA expressing concerns over its potential to break conventional cryptography. In response, higher education is gearing up to embrace this change by introducing specialized quantum computing programs, establishing research centers, and fostering industry collaborations. Universities are preparing to overhaul traditional teaching methods to accommodate the evolving landscape of quantum computing and AI, recognizing the need to prepare students for future jobs in this rapidly advancing field.
In Other News: Investor Place article: “The Quantum Leap: 3 Stocks to Buy for the Age of Quantum Computing”
The quantum computing market is experiencing rapid expansion, with significant advancements from leading tech companies. Nvidia (NVDA), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), and Microsoft (MSFT) are at the forefront, poised for substantial growth in this sector, highlights an InvestorPlace article. Nvidia’s breakthroughs in quantum simulations and a remarkable 205.6% year-over-year revenue surge highlight its potential as a tech innovator. Alphabet’s progress in Quantum AI and steady revenue growth position it as a strong investor option. With its Q# framework and impressive fiscal earnings, Microsoft is also a key player in quantum innovation. The Defiance Quantum ETF, focused on quantum computing, has recently outperformed the S&P 500, indicating robust market performance. This growth trajectory is expected to continue, with projections of the global quantum computing market reaching $6.5 billion by 2033. These developments demonstrate the sector’s vast potential, offering lucrative investment opportunities in companies leading the way in quantum computing solutions.
