Quantum computing 101
Welcome to our Quantum 101 page. Here, we will explain the wonderful world of quantum computing in simple terms. Let’s start with the basics:
Let’s start with the basics:
The principles of quantum computing
What makes quantum computers so unique? The unintuitive principles of quantum mechanics are what unlocks the power of quantum computing.
The importance of quantum computing
By using quantum bits (qubits) and quantum mechanics, quantum computers are operating with a fundamentally different set of rules to the game compared to classical computers. In certain cases, a quantum computer can operate much, much faster than a classical computer. This “speedup” means that there are certain tasks that would have taken, for example, 10,000 years on a classical computer that might now only take days.
By harnessing quantum physics, our computers move beyond the limits of classical systems to answer questions that were previously impossible to tackle.
Why trapped ion quantum computing?
Learn more about how trapped ion quantum computing works in the video below.
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Energy
RELEVANCE
As technology progresses, energy demands become increasingly pressing.
New technologies like hydrogen fuel cells could be transformative, but huge barriers to practical implementation remain such as the expense of using platinum at large scales. To replace the platinum in fuel cells with something more cost effective one must first understand the chemistry at the atomic level.
Unfortunately, classical methodology is incapable of modeling the exact chemical reaction that occurs within. Until this is possible scientists remain unsure how to replace it.
COMPUTATIONAL CHALLENGE
Accurate simulation with classical computers is difficult because it requires too much memory to handle.
QUANTUM SOLUTION
To simulate the oxygen reduction reaction on platinum catalysts, scientists can use quantum chemistry tools like InQuanto. This can help them to understand the reactions in detail, thereby identifying cost-effective alternatives to platinum.
Quantum approaches are expected to outperform classical methods by 2029. This time horizon has moved up from the original estimation of 2033 due to Quantinuum's breakthroughs in hardware and error correction.
Computational Biology
RELEVANCE
There are nearly infinite problems in biology that can benefit from a computational approach – saving time, resources, and reducing human impact.
For example, heart disease is a large and growing multifactorial issue – in the U.S. alone over 6 million adults suffer from it, resulting in over $250 billion in annual costs.
Identifying new therapies that can treat the underlying disease rather than just symptoms requires a deep understanding of the disease biology.
COMPUTATIONAL CHALLENGE
Biological systems are often extremely interconnected with complicated correlations and thus not well suited for traditional computing methods.
QUANTUM SOLUTION
Because entanglement and interference are already inherent, quantum computers are much better suited to model systems with complicated correlations.
Chemicals and materials
RELEVANCE
Chemistry affects every aspect of our lives; from food, to clothing, to powering the grid. For example, producing ammonia, a crucial component in fertilizer, costs us 2% of the world’s energy usage each year. In addition, the Haber-Bosch process, the most common method for ammonia production, releases significant amounts of CO2.
COMPUTATIONAL CHALLENGE
Developing new processes to produce ammonia require a deeper understanding of the chemistry at play.
Current approaches to modelling the chemistry rely heavily on approximations, limiting their value. Due to this, there is a heavy reliance on in-lab trial-and-error experimentation, which is time consuming, expensive, and does not guarantee results.
QUANTUM SOLUTION
Quantum computing is well posed to solve problems in quantum chemistry – the best way to model a quantum mechanical system is with a quantum mechanical system.
We have been using InQuanto to model the activation and dissociation of nitrogen on iron surfaces – the main catalysts used in fertilizer production.
Cybersecurity
RELEVANCE
Quantum computing’s increasing power will create significant cybersecurity weaknesses – and also advantages.
COMPUTATIONAL CHALLENGE
A quantum computer will eventually break RSA cryptography thanks to Shor’s algorithm – something a classical computer will never be able to do. This is a significant threat to our digital security.
QUANTUM SOLUTION
We are building a safe post-quantum world. We work on everything from quantum-hardened cryptographic keys, to true randomness, to methods for enhanced fraud detection, marrying AI and quantum.