Why Quantum Computers?
When humans encounter problems, they often use tools to help solve them. Computers are one of the tools we use: they are great at math problems, repetitive tasks, and searching large sets of data (like Googling). However, in the same way that a hammer isn't very good at putting in a screw, a computer isn't always the best tool to solve other problems. This is why scientists and engineers are seeking new ways of making computers that will let us solve a wider variety of problems. One of these technologies is Quantum Computers. Let's see a couple of such examples that will be better solved by the emerging quantum computing technology.
Upon opening the box, Joey realizes that the packaging is a puzzle and this delivery is a prank! In fact, the package consists of one large box with 100 smaller boxes packed inside. The pickles are hidden in one of the smaller boxes.
The procedure we used was a simple step-by-step method; open the boxes one at a time and see what is inside each box. A step-by-step method for solving a problem is known as an algorithm. Algorithms are one of the big ideas.
Quantum searching
The technology we will discuss , a quantum computer, is able to search through the boxes in less than 50 steps. In fact, it takes only about 10 steps!
However, 10 and 50 are not dramatically different; it is the same order of magnitude. Is it worth making a whole new computer to go from 50 to 10 steps?
The quantum computer solves the search problem in the √N steps, which is why it could search through 100 boxes in 10 steps. As you see being able to solve the problem in √N steps instead of N/2 steps becomes more crucial as the problem size increases. This isn't the case for just this problem, but all the algorithms. Quantum computers can be very useful in this context!
Haber-Bosch Process
The next problem that quantum computers can help us to solve is a chemical process called the Haber-Bosch process. This process is used to create ammonia that will be used widely as a fertilizer. Ammonia is a critical chemical that helps us produce more food for larger human populations.
In the video below you'll hear about the Haber-Bosch process and how important it is.
We've seen how important the Haber process is. Unfortunately, the process has some drawbacks.
The Haber process uses very high pressures and temperatures to create ammonia. Creating these high pressures and temperatures requires a lot of energy! In fact, the Haber process uses about 1-2% of the entire world's energy supply.
This raises the question: How can we create fertilizer without using so much energy?
Incredibly, the humble pea plant actually does just this! It uses a special molecule called nitrogenase to create its own fertilizer, without ever using high temperatures or pressures.
Quantum computers and chemicals
Unfortunately, scientists have not yet been able to understand how the nitrogenase molecule creates fertilizer.
Remember that molecules, like the nitrogenase in the pea plant, are described by quantum information. Part of the reason why we have not yet been able to understand nitrogenase is that we are trying to understand quantum information using a classical technology. It simply is not the right tool for the job.
A better idea might be to use a quantum computer to understand quantum information. This is just one of the reasons that quantum computers were developed.
In fact, there are many more applications for this idea of quantum simulation (using a quantum computer to understand quantum things like molecules). One important one is the discovery of new medicines. The molecules needed for medicines can be very complicated, and having a quantum computer would help us understand them better, potentially leading to lifesaving discoveries!
0 Comments