Tag Archives: computer

Quantum Computing: Unveiling the Future of Computing

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Quantum computing stands at the forefront of technology, leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics to tackle challenges too intricate for traditional computers. IBM Quantum pioneers this field, providing real quantum hardware to developers worldwide, a concept unimaginable just three decades ago. Here’s a breakdown of this transformative technology and why it’s crucial for the future.

Why Quantum Computing?

In the realm of supercomputers, classical machines excel at complex tasks but struggle with intricate problems, where numerous variables interact in convoluted ways. Tasks like simulating molecular behavior or detecting subtle fraud patterns in financial transactions pose challenges beyond classical capabilities. Quantum computers, however, manipulate quantum bits (qubits), enabling the creation of multidimensional computational spaces. Unlike classical counterparts, quantum algorithms efficiently solve intricate problems like chemical simulations, holding immense potential for diverse fields, from medicine to semiconductor design.

How Quantum Computers Work

At the heart of quantum computing lies the qubit, the quantum counterpart of classical bits. Unlike classical processors, quantum processors require extremely low temperatures, just above absolute zero, to prevent decoherence, a loss of quantum states. Achieved through super-cooled superfluids, superconductors enable qubits to exist in states of superposition and entanglement.

  1. Superposition: Qubits, when in a state of superposition, represent all possible configurations, forming complex computational spaces crucial for intricate problem-solving.
  2. Entanglement: Quantum entanglement correlates the behavior of two qubits, where changes in one directly affect the other, facilitating synchronized operations.
  3. Interference: Quantum interference manipulates waves of probabilities in superpositioned qubits. Through selective interference, undesirable outcomes cancel out, while amplified outcomes provide solutions to computations.

Applications Across Industries

Industries worldwide are recognizing the potential of quantum computing:

  • Medicine: Advancing drug discovery and molecular simulations.
  • Finance: Detecting intricate fraud patterns and optimizing trading strategies.
  • Logistics: Solving complex route optimization problems.
  • Energy: Revolutionizing materials for renewable energy solutions.
  • Manufacturing: Enhancing complex supply chain management.

As quantum hardware and algorithms progress, a new era of problem-solving emerges. Quantum computing is poised to redefine the boundaries of what’s possible, revolutionizing how we approach complex challenges in science, technology, and beyond. Stay tuned for a future powered by quantum possibilities.

For my opinion, in essence, the article provides a basic understanding of quantum computing but lacks critical analysis, practical examples, and expert insights, leaving us with unanswered questions about its real-world significance and challenges. But more information you can get from official website IBM.

Sources: https://www.ibm.com/topics/quantum-computing

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One of the most powerful supercomputers will be in Poland

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One of the most powerful supercomputers in the world will be installed in Krakow by the end of next year. The Academic Computer Center CYFRONET AGH has been selected by the European Joint Undertaking in the field of Large Scale Computing (EuroHPC JU) as one of 5 places in Europe where computers forming a pan-European data processing network will be installed, according to Cyfronet.pl:
“Poland is one of the 5 EU countries selected for the installation of a new generation supercomputing system – the machine will be delivered to ACK Cyfronet AGH”

The most powerful computer in the network will be JUPITER. It is the first exascale system in Europe – that is, it performs over 1018 floating point operations per second. It will be installed at the Jülich Supercomputing Center in Germany. The other four machines are DAEDALUS, which will be delivered to Greece, LEVENTE (Hungary), CASPIr (Ireland) and EHPCPL in Krakow.

Currently, Cyfronet has the most powerful supercomputer in Poland, Athena. The machine with the power of 5.05 PFlop is on the 105th position on the list of 500 most efficient supercomputers in the world and is one of the 5 Polish supercomputers listed there. It is known that the EHPCPL will be several times more efficient than Athena.

The goal of EuroHPC JU is to create one of the most powerful supercomputing infrastructures in the world in Europe. There are already LUMI (151.9 PFlop / s) machines in operation in Finland, MeluXina (10.52 PFlop / s) in Luxembourg, Karolina (6.75 PFlop / s) in the Czech Republic, Discoverer (4.52 PFlop / s) ) in Bulgaria and Vega (3.82 PFlop / s) in Slovenia. Also under construction are LEONARDO (Italy), Deucalion (Portugal) and MareNostrum 5 (Spain). The Finnish LUMI is the 3rd most powerful supercomputer in the world and the 3rd most energy efficient computer in the world. Poland Athena ranks high, 9th on the list of the most energy-efficient computers in the world.

“The selection of Poland as the place of installation of one of the EuroHPC JU systems is an important distinction, confirming the national competence in the field of maintenance and operational use of supercomputers at the world level.”

References:
https://www.cyfronet.pl/aktualnosci_i_wydarzenia/19029,3,komunikat,polska_jednym_z_5__panstw_ue_wybranych_do_instalacji_systemu_superkomputerowego_nowej_generacji____maszyna_stanie_w_ack_cyfronet_agh.html

https://eurohpc-ju.europa.eu/eurohpc-joint-undertaking-announces-five-sites-host-new-world-class-supercomputers-2022-06-15_en

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Hope for the paralyzed? Neuralink, its monkey and their chips.

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Neuraink was founded in the summer of 2016 by the Elon Musk, as his fourth technological company. The company is aiming to develop “ a fully integrated brain machine interface (BMI) system. Either way, BMIs are technologies that enable a computer or other digital device to communicate directly with the brain. Our goal is to build a system with at least two orders of magnitude more communication channels (electrodes) than current clinically-approved devices.” 

They introduced the product called The Link which should be able to ensure fully wireless communication through the skin. This chip according to the company would have 1024 electrodes that penetrate the outer layer of the brain. The Link needs to meet the criteria of safety and be functional for the individual use.

https://neuralink.com/approach/

Let’s consider the following scenario: Can a paralyzed person use a tablet or smartphone faster than a healthy person using a mouse, cursor, trackpad, and touchscreen? 

Until recently, such a possibility seemed unrealistic, but as new research indicates, it is possible, and maybe in the future, we will run electronic devices with our minds. A concrete ape, a nine-year-old macaque, learned to do so a few days earlier. Thanks to the implemented device animal was able to play uncomplicated game Pong. The animal was able to handle the game with ease thanks to two Neuralink sensors inserted in its macaque. Pager, a 9-year-old with system implanted 6 weeks ago, can now interact with an implant that allows him to manipulate the cursor with his feelings. Musk stressed that the animal never suffered or was sad for a single second.

The first move, according to the company, is to calibrate the equipment. The monkey then plays with a joystick as the Neuralink implant transmits data from thousands of neurons in its brain and field to a computer. You will see what possibilities the brain has for going in a certain direction based on this. The following move was to change the game administration to Neuralink. The animal continued to use the controller, but since it was not wired to the screen, the monkey’s reality was erratic and did not shift in sync with its thinking. The third stage was a game in which no joystick was used.

Neuralink introduced following diagram that shows how their device work in described case. 

https://neuralink.com

This is a big move forward and gives many people with motor disorders hope. According to Elon Musk, in the first version of Neuralink, this technology would be used by people who cannot use a mouse or a touch screen. However, this is not the finish. Musk stated that the second iteration of the Neuralink system, which will be implanted in the brain, will attach to the company’s other sensors located in the body. This is to help people who are paralyzed to walk.

In the other hand, there are certain legitimate questions. Neuralink will face significant technical and ethical challenges. One of the technical challenges is developing electrodes that can last for decades without the need for costly replacements. What is required is not only scientific advancement, but also hands to work and free minds full of ideas. Will Neuralink be able to overcome the current issues? Will the human trials scheduled for 2021 be a success? We need to closely track the progress of this business in order to get answers to these issues. 

Sources:

https://neuralink.com

https://businessinsider.com.pl/firmy/neuralink-firma-elona-muska-laczaca-mozg-z-komputerem-finansowanie/mv15909

https://www.forbes.com/sites/saibala/2021/04/13/monkey-mindpong-elon-musk–neuralinks-latest-could-potentially-revolutionize-healthcare/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsCul1sp4hQ&t=137s

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/09/tech/elon-musk-neuralink-pong-scli-intl/index.html

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Quantum power

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We all heard about supercomputers that are bigger than some houses and make enormous calculations. Also term of artificial intelligence or machine learning is getting popular. Slowly we are living in a world driven by data and all actions are made by programs.

In order to make more advance operations and use more sophisticated technology we need something different than another bigger computer. Than comes quantum computer

What is a quantum computer?

Our computers work in regular way. They can store information as 1 or 0 states called bits. Simply it means that when we have more data we use more bits and so on. Quantum computer works differently. It stores memory in a superposition of classical states and the basic unit of it is called qubit. They are in an indeterminate state between 0 and 1. It allows to make calculations much faster and efficient, but it’s not the biggest advantage of a quantum computing. Every qubit is connected in some way to other qubits and effect on each other within one computer. It means that there is a much shorter way for information to get through, than in classical computers. It enables to extremely shorten the time needed for all sort of difficult operations. However due to it’s a different state, qubits can sometimes fail and have errors, so they need to be constantly checking each other. It is said that a quantum computer can make calculations that would take 10 thousand years of today’s most powerful computer to solve, in just a few minutes. It opens a way for science and technology to work in completely new fields with a new great power to use. It will be crucial in fields like space travel, machine learning or data science. On the other hand, it is unlikely to be used in every household instead of classic computer.

The first one

Just a few weeks ago it seems that we have a breakthrough point for this industry. Google claimed to create a first fully working quantum computer in the world. The processor that operates this computer is called Sycamore. It works with 53 qubits. When it would be expanded to 70 qubits the biggest computer in the world would need to be the size of a city to reach it’s power. IBM is also working on it’s own project with quantum computing, but it is the Google which is the first. We don’t know yet how to use it for something particular, but we it is powerful.

 

References

Quantum computing’s ‘Hello World’ moment

https://www.ibm.com/quantum-computing/learn/what-is-quantum-computing/

https://ai.google/research/teams/applied-science/quantum/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hands-on-with-googles-quantum-computer/

https://www.wired.com/story/why-googles-quantum-computing-victory-is-a-huge-deal-and-a-letdown/

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