Solid, liquid, gas, plasma — and a mysterious fifth thing?
On Wednesday, scientists at Microsoft confirmed their creation of a quantum computer chip capable of upending technology as we know it. The project, which the brand named “Majorana 1,” is one small part of a complex scientific and technological journey humanity first theorized about nearly 100 years ago. Microsoft’s goal? According to a release issued yesterday by the brand’s Vice President of Quantum Hardware, Chetan Nayak, “to transform science and society.” Nayak and his team have been working on this scientific discovery for nearly two decades.
Majorana 1 is capable of computing qubits digitally, paving the way for speedier scientific discoveries. The quantum chip taps into particle physics to solve questions neither scientists nor computers could figure out in multiple lifetimes. From chemistry problems once thought incalculable to steps forward in our fight against climate change and microplastics, quantum computing could lead to breakthroughs we can just now begin to conceptualize. Microsoft even suggests such a discovery could “lead to self-healing materials that repair cracks in bridges or airplane parts, shattered phone screens or scratched car doors.”
The creation, first introduced to the public in June 2023, comprises a few firsts for Microsoft and the world. Structurally, the device is the world’s first Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) and is powered by the first-ever topological conductor, or topoconductor. This tool tabulates and processes binary data by reaching a topologic state that transcends the solids, liquids, and gasses we’ve been familiar with since grade-school science class.
Quantum computing technology may be the holy grail, and naturally, companies are racing to make headway. In December 2024, Google introduced its experimental quantum computer, asserting it could make calculations a supercomputer couldn’t manage in 10 septillion years. For clarification, that’s That’s 10^25, or 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 years. Ideally, we see breakthroughs before then, and with quantum computing, it might be sooner than you think.
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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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