The rate at which quantum computing is hitting the media stream is ever-increasing. This piece is a compilation derived from The Shorts posted on The Qubit Report this week. Mea Cubitt
Business & Industry
Volkswagen takes quantum computing from the lab to the factory | Researchers believe quantum computers could tackle challenges that even the most powerful traditional computers struggle. While quantum computers are still highly experimental, a global race to develop new machines has started, and companies have begun finding ways to apply them to real-world challenges. In the automotive industry, Volkswagen Group has led the way, launching a dedicated team for quantum computing research in 2016. Source: VOLKSWAGEN. Volkswagen takes quantum computing from the lab to the factory…
This Quantum Encryption Stock Could Be a Hot Bet | Recent advances in quantum computing could make it easier for hackers to crack the security codes that protect the privacy of people’s data. That’s a major concern for security experts. Source: BARRON’S. This Quantum Encryption Stock Could Be a Hot Bet…
Quantum Brilliance Raises $9.7 Million Seed Funding to Advance Diamond Quantum Accelerator Development and Deployment | Quantum Brilliance, a venture-backed Australian-German full-stack quantum accelerator startup, today announced closing a USD$9.7 million seed investment co-led by the QxBranch founders’ and Main Sequence investment consortium. Source: businesswire. Quantum Brilliance Raises $9.7 Million Seed Funding to Advance Diamond Quantum Accelerator Development and Deployment…
“Quantum Currency” Crypto Asset Proposed | CMTLabs is proposing creation of a new crypto asset category capable of equal and balanced functionality as a SOV (Store Of Value) and method exchange in the form of a “quantum currency”. Dual and equal financial functionality will occur when the asset enters FSP (Financial Super Position) value proposition states during a transaction. Source: CMTLabs. “Quantum Currency” Crypto Asset Proposed…
Centricus Acquisition Corp. Welcomes Business Updates by Arqit Limited, a Leader in Quantum Encryption Technology | Centricus Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: CENH, CENHW, CENHU) (“Centricus”), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, welcomes the business updates provided to investors by Arqit Limited (“Arqit”) in recent days and Arqit’s ongoing contract announcements. Centricus’ extraordinary general meeting will be held on August 31, 2021 for its shareholders to approve its proposed business combination with Arqit, a leader in quantum encryption technology. Source: yahoo!finance. Centricus Acquisition Corp. Welcomes Business Updates by Arqit Limited, a Leader in Quantum Encryption Technology…
BrainChip Named Among EE Times’ Silicon 100 | BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN), (OTCQX: BRCHF), a leading provider of ultra-low power high performance artificial intelligence technology, was recognized as one of the “Startups Worth Watching in 2021” in EE Times ’ annual Silicon 100 list of global semiconductor technologies. Source: AP NEWS. BrainChip Named Among EE Times’ Silicon 100…
Five ‘deep waves’ that will affect every investor’s portfolio | There are several ‘deep waves’ that will affect every element of portfolios for decades and need to be considered by investors today, according to the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute. Source: Trustnet. Five ‘deep waves’ that will affect every investor’s portfolio…
Cybersecurity & Cryptography
Why cybersecurity is essential for future-proofing businesses in the Gulf | As the region’s businesses leap forward in their digital transformation, they should keep the threat of ransomware in mind and invest in cybersecurity infrastructure and resources, according to panellists at the inaugural AB Technology Forum on Wednesday. Source: Arabian Business. Why cybersecurity is essential for future-proofing businesses in the Gulf…
When is quantum attack relevant? | A question we are sometimes asked by people new to cryptography and quantum technology is: do I have to worry about quantum attack now? Source: ARQIT. When is quantum attack relevant?
Quantropi makes history by quantum-securely distributing true random numbers over vast distances using existing network infrastructure | Quantropi, Inc., a groundbreaking Canadian quantum security solutions provider, announced today the impressive results of a high-profile demonstration of its patented technology. A portion of the demonstration was enabled by CANARIE, the federal partner in Canada’s National Research and Education Network (NREN), and its Alberta partner in the NREN, Cybera. CANARIE’s participation in the demonstration leveraged existing network infrastructure to support Quantropi’s solution and the evolution of the Canadian quantum ecosystem. Source: quntropi. Quantropi makes history by quantum-securely distributing true random numbers over vast distances using existing network infrastructure…
How safe is a quantum-safe virtual private network? | Verizon said it is testing how a quantum-safe virtual private network (VPN) can enhance the protection of data now in order to thwart hackers in the future. As quantum computers become more advanced, they will have the potential to break today’s public key encryption ciphers. Source: msn. How safe is a quantum-safe virtual private network?
How quantum security generates randomness to shield IoT systems | How quantum security generates randomness to shield IoT systems Source: T_HQ. How quantum security generates randomness to shield IoT systems…
Harnessing Quantum Tech to Strengthen Internet Security | With today’s standard Internet, packets of data are sent via networks and reassembled at the other end. For added protection, those packets are almost always secured through encryption and public-key cryptography (PKC), which is where a shared key is distributed to the sender and receiver to encrypt the message or communication. Source: DARKReading. Harnessing Quantum Tech to Strengthen Internet Security…
Cybersecurity: solace of quantum | firing pulses of laser light from space sounds more of a job for a James Bond villain than for a law firm. Yet if all goes well this will be part of a package of technologies being put together by an international firm and a high-tech startup to put clients in control of their data – and protect them from an emerging global threat to the way that sensitive computer data is safeguarded today. Source: Gazette. Cybersecurity: solace of quantum…
Could Quantum Computing Ultimately Hurt Bitcoin? | Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are surging as of late – so much so that the $2 trillion valuation barrier has once again been breached. Not long ago, bitcoin rose back up over the $50,000 mark, and it looks like things are continuing in this bullish train, though BTC has fallen back a bit by about $2,000 at the time of writing. Source: BITCOIN NEWS. Could Quantum Computing Ultimately Hurt Bitcoin?
Crypto doomsday? New quantum computer poses ‘existential threat’ to Ethereum and Bitcoin | Quantum computers are developing at a fast pace and could soon be used to crack the digital wallets used in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. For cryptocurrency transactions to be processed with due diligence and authenticity, independent of a centralised authority, they rely upon cryptographic technology. However, it has been claimed the accelerating development of quantum computers could present an “existential threat” to the encrypted blockchains powering this nascent cryptocurrency financial revolution. Source: EXPRESS. Crypto doomsday? New quantum computer poses ‘existential threat’ to Ethereum and Bitcoin…
Arqit and Babcock sign collaboration agreement for government and defence market | Babcock International Group, the Aerospace, Defence and security company, has entered into a collaboration agreement with Arqit Limited (“Arqit”), a leader in quantum encryption technology. The agreement will see the two companies jointly test and experiment with a range of use case scenarios and practical applications for government and defence customers to demonstrate the encryption capabilities of Arqit’s QuantumCloud™ product. It will also see Babcock deepen its involvement in important areas of broader Quantum Technology development. Source: babcock. Arqit and Babcock sign collaboration agreement for government and defence market…
Technology & Hardware
Quantum Computing Platform Accelerates Transition from Bulk Optics to Integrated Photonics on a Silicon Chip Smaller than a Penny | The quantum computing market is projected to reach $65 billion by 2030, a hot topic for investors and scientists alike because of its potential to solve incomprehensibly complex problems. Source: University of Virginia. Quantum Computing Platform Accelerates Transition from Bulk Optics to Integrated Photonics on a Silicon Chip Smaller than a Penny…
DOE Announces $54 Million to Increase Energy Efficiency in Microelectronics Technologies | The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced nearly $54 million for 10 new projects led by DOE’s National Laboratories to increase energy efficiency in microelectronics design and production. Microelectronics are critical to nearly all modern technology, including smartphones, medical equipment, power plant and electricity grids, and automobiles. Advanced microelectronics hold the potential to power innovative solutions to challenges in clean energy, climate, and national security. Source: ENERGY.GOV. DOE Announces $54 Million to Increase Energy Efficiency in Microelectronics Technologies…
Reinventing Microelectronics for the 21st Century | Microelectronic devices are vital to nearly every aspect of our lives—from running a small business to driving the global economy, from tracking our personal health to fighting a pandemic, and from delivering power to our homes to securing our nation’s infrastructure. Source: ENERGY.GOV. Reinventing Microelectronics for the 21st Century…
Promising candidates revealed for next-generation LED-based data communications | A new paper from the University of Surrey and the University of Cambridge has detailed how two relatively unexplored semiconducting materials can satisfy the telecommunication industry’s hunger for enormous amounts of data at ever-greater speeds. Source: ScienceDaily. Promising candidates revealed for next-generation LED-based data communications…
Gartner: 3 themes to watch in emerging technologies | Engineering trust, accelerating growth and sculpting change are the three predominant trends Gartner has selected for its Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies, 2021. They will drive organizations to explore emerging technologies such as nonfungible tokens (NFTs), sovereign cloud, data fabric, generative AI and composable networks to help secure competitive advantage, the research firm said. Source: TechRepublic. Gartner: 3 themes to watch in emerging technologies…
Algorithms & Software
Simulations of polymers? A quantum puzzle | Using computers to study polymers has always been a major challenge for scientific computation, especially for long and densely packed biomolecules, like DNA. New perspectives are now opening up through quantum computing. Scientists have now recast the basic models of polymer models as optimization problems that can be efficiently solved with quantum computers. This novel approach has made it possible to harness the considerable potential of these machines in a hitherto unexplored context. Source: SISSA. Simulations of polymers? A quantum puzzle…
Five-Day AICTE-ATAL Faculty Development Workshop On “Quantum Information Processing And Applications” Commenced At Central University Of Punjab | Bathinda: The Dept. of Computer Science and Technology of the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB) under the patronage of Vice Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari commenced a five-day AICTE-ATAL sponsored Faculty Development Workshop on “Quantum Information Processing and Applications”. The inaugural ceremony of this workshop was held on 23rd August, 2021. The main objective of this workshop is to provide a forum for participants to exchange ideas on the state of art research and development in Quantum Information Processing. Around 75 faculty, research scholars, students and industry experts from different states across India have applied in this workshop. Source: india EducationDiary.com. Five-Day AICTE-ATAL Faculty Development Workshop On “Quantum Information Processing And Applications” Commenced At Central University Of Punjab…
EIS HAS CREATED THE FIRST TRANS-AI MODEL FOR NARROW AI, ML, DL, AND HUMAN INTELLIGENCE | It’s the main engine of the digital revolution. The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the need for human-machine digital intelligent platforms facilitating new knowledge, competences and workforce skills, advanced cognitive, scientific, technological, and engineering, social, and emotional skills. Source: BBN TIMES. EIS HAS CREATED THE FIRST TRANS-AI MODEL FOR NARROW AI, ML, DL, AND HUMAN INTELLIGENCE…
Government & Policy
West Bengal govt earmarks 100 acres more for IT hub, says minister | The West Bengal government has earmarked another 100 acres of land for its Silicon Valley Tech Hub and is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that it becomes the information technology hub of not only India but also the world, state IT Minister Partha Chatterjee said on Thursday. Source: Business Standard. West Bengal govt earmarks 100 acres more for IT hub, says minister…
IBM partners IIT Madras to enhance industry relevant skills | BENGALURU: IBM Corp said on Thursday it will collaborate with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras to support their online BSc degree programme and augment select courses on the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) platform. Source: mint. IBM partners IIT Madras to enhance industry relevant skills…
How to ensure Canada’s quantum computing strategy is a success | Quantum computing is on the verge of sparking a paradigm shift. Once in the realm of academic theory, quantum computing goes beyond the binary limitations of the classical computer – which processes information in bits represented as ones and zeros – to solve problems considered intractable on even the world’s most advanced supercomputers. But to ensure Canada takes advantage of this point of inflection, government, industry and academic stakeholders must work hand-in-hand to do three things: enable access to leading-edge quantum computing technology, expand education and skills development, and foster deep collaboration focused on the most promising commercial industries. Source: POLICY OPTIONS POLITQUES. How to ensure Canada’s quantum computing strategy is a success…
Entanglement extends reach towards National Science Foundation and Midwest Quantum Academia | ntanglement Inc. (Ei), an early-stage deep technology company, joins Accenture, Cummins, and Quantum Computing Inc. in becoming the first committed members to the Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT), an alliance between Purdue University (lead site), Indiana University, the University of Notre Dame, and Indiana University Purdue University – Indianapolis (IUPUI). The CQT will partner with industry and government stakeholders to identify compelling needs and challenges, and then develop novel quantum technologies to address them. Committed industry and government members will provide funding to the center’s researchers and will obtain early access to findings applicable to their organizations. These “solutions-findings” will address the increasing demand of private sector companies for applications that demonstrate a quantum advantage in an overgrowing competitive landscape for optimization solutions. Source: INSIDER. Entanglement extends reach towards National Science Foundation and Midwest Quantum Academia…
CMC outlines plan to accelerate high tech manufacturing in Canada | CMC Microsystems (CMC), has brought together 14 project founders from industry, academia and non-profit technology research organizations to support a five year, $700 M program to accelerate high tech manufacturing in Canada. Source: EP&T. CMC outlines plan to accelerate high tech manufacturing in Canada…
Aziza Almanakly, Belinda Li receive Clare Boothe Luce Graduate Fellowship for Women | MIT PhD students Aziza Almanakly and Belinda Li have been selected as the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) recipients of the multi-year Clare Boothe Luce Graduate Fellowship for Women, an honor designed to encourage and support graduate women in STEM. The rigorous selection process for this prestigious fellowship took into account the two students’ outstanding track record of scientific achievement and inquiry, as well as their contributions to the STEM community. Source: MIT News. Aziza Almanakly, Belinda Li receive Clare Boothe Luce Graduate Fellowship for Women…
Andrea Gardiner on Australia’s startup funding gap | While the federal government’s Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnerships (ESVCLP) program had attracted billions into the innovation ecosystem in recent years, a critical funding gap remains at the earliest stages of a startup’s journey to success. Source: InovationAus. Andrea Gardiner on Australia’s startup funding gap…
10 DOE-Backed Projects Target Energy Efficiency in Microelectronic Tech Production | The Department of Energy has selected 10 projects to receive $54 million over three years to develop energy-efficiency approaches for designing and manufacturing microelectronic products. Source: ExecutiveGov. 10 DOE-Backed Projects Target Energy Efficiency in Microelectronic Tech Production… <
Science & Research
What Has to Happen for Quantum Computing to Hit Mainstream? | If you stretch the timeline of quantum computing onto the timeline of IBM computers, we’re somewhere between the vacuum-tube-powered machines of the 1940s and the models built on transistors, integrated circuits, and silicon of the 1960s. And we’re much closer to the former. Source: DataCenter Knowledge . What Has to Happen for Quantum Computing to Hit Mainstream?
Layered Graphene with a Twist Displays Unique Quantum Confinement in 2-D | Scientists studying two different configurations of bilayer graphene—the two-dimensional (2-D), atom-thin form of carbon—have detected electronic and optical interlayer resonances. In these resonant states, electrons bounce back and forth between the two atomic planes in the 2-D interface at the same frequency. By characterizing these states, they found that twisting one of the graphene layers by 30 degrees relative to the other, instead of stacking the layers directly on top of each other, shifts the resonance to a lower energy. From this result, just published in Physical Review Letters, they deduced that the distance between the two layers increased significantly in the twisted configuration, compared to the stacked one. When this distance changes, so do the interlayer interactions, influencing how electrons move in the bilayer system. An understanding of this electron motion could inform the design of future quantum technologies for more powerful computing and more secure communication. Source: Brookhaven. Layered Graphene with a Twist Displays Unique Quantum Confinement in 2-D…
How Big Can the Quantum World Be? Physicists Probe the Limits. | Two teams of researchers, in Austria and Switzerland, have independently succeeded in freezing such minuscule nanoparticles, just 100 to 140 nanometers across, almost entirely into their lowest-energy quantum state, giving them effectively a temperature just a few millionths of a degree above absolute zero — and fixing them in place with unearthly precision. Source: Quantamagazine. How Big Can the Quantum World Be? Physicists Probe the Limits….
China gains the quantum advantage | Chinese scientists recently claimed they had gained the global edge in quantum computing over Google with a device that can complete in 70 minutes a task that would take the world’s fastest non-quantum supercomputer more than eight years. Source: Bangkok Post. China gains the quantum advantage…
Can a piece of sticky tape stop computer hackers in their tracks? | Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and TMOS, an Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence, have taken the fight to online hackers with a giant leap towards realizing affordable, accessible quantum communications, a technology that would effectively prevent the decryption of online activity. Everything from private social media messaging to banking could become more secure due to new technology created with a humble piece of adhesive tape. Source: EurekAlert!. Can a piece of sticky tape stop computer hackers in their tracks?</
