Category: The Future

Quantum Computing – The Next Big Revolution

From classical computers to the modern day mobile and VR era, science and technology have completely revolutionized the world like never before. And it seems to be just the beginning. The world is about to witness the next big revolution in technology with Quantum Computing.

Where do we stand when it comes to understanding it?

Researchers and scientists from all over the world have thoroughly explored and realized the exceptional computing capabilities of this discrete quantity of energy. Leading technology companies namely, IBM, Google, and several others are striving to introduce a whole new era of quantum-based computers. IBM has unveiled “System One” and shared its vision to bring this unique invention to the commercial market.

How does Quantum Computing work?

In order to draw a better understanding of this whole new technology, one has to understand the concept of “Qubits” which is similar to “Bits” in classical computing. Just like classical computing relies on the binary system that builds bits, Quantum computing relies on Qubits. These super-conducting electrons – a type of subatomic particle – enable a multilayer circuit to work.

The Quantum Leap and Artificial Intelligence

In an era where Artificial Intelligence can analyze and break down the data using classical computing, “System One” is expecting to give an unbelievable boost to AI with Quantum Computing. It looks like IBM and many other renowned names in the field of science and technology have started to believe Quantum Computing as a dream for the “not too distant future” of the modern day world.

What are the Current Challenges?

According to the researchers, Quantum Computing can add great value to the existing concept of Artificial Intelligence by enabling it to extract restrained patterns within huge datasets. According to IBM scientists, they aim to build a strong and truly capable Quantum Machine which can outpace any classical computer when it comes to machine learning tasks.

Most of the industry experts and scientists have concluded that Quantum Computing may contribute extensively to the area of medical research and climate change but will not be sophisticated enough to resolve the existing scientific mysteries.

On the other hand, scientists and researchers are still striving to predict the possible uses of Quantum Computing. Moreover, they are still unclear about patterns and data-centric discoveries they should look for.

Conclusion

Leading companies are trying new and unique ways to use quantum computing and find out how it can aid and extend the various capabilities of classic computing. Researchers have concluded that the idea of Quantum Computing can benefit several diverse industries across the world which could include healthcare, climate, finance, energy and a lot more. Keeping this in view, it cannot be denied that Quantum Computing is about to become the future of today’s world while bringing exceptional technological leaps in other areas of research and development.

Algorithm Control

In the modern day world of high-end technology and futuristic inventions, recognizing the role of algorithms is of paramount importance. From classical computers and gaming consoles to modern day mobile technology, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and big data, it is the algorithm that has made it possible for us to come across these fantastic inventions.

While taking a brief outlook of how these technologies began and consider the rising demands of the end users, it is quite evident that mankind has used technology as a vital tool to achieve greater ease and comfort, but it seems like Algorithms have started to control our lives.

Let’s take a look at why algorithm control has become one of the most trending topics across the global IT sector.

Algorithms Now Run Several Industries

It cannot be denied that modern-day systems and software are completely backed by high-end computing and information technology which is solely based on Algorithms. From the world’s most famous search engine Google to a more diversified set of domains such as stocks, finance, investments, marketing, engineering, and many more. According to most of the industry analysts and experts, the use of the algorithm is now starting to control our lives.

Can It Be Blindly Trusted?

Putting blind trust on algorithms and then encountering its adverse repercussions has become one of the most prominent and widely discussed topics among researchers and industry analysts.

According to them, putting greater trust in today’s algorithm based technologies and systems result in severe market crashes. Most of the researchers have found that dependency upon computing, data, and algorithms have made the entire finance industry its primary dependent. From banks and financial institutions to stocks and shares, everything is now completely controlled by algorithm-based systems and software which is a blessing but at the same time a threat to skyrocketing industry progress.

Human Vs Machines

We cannot deny that today’s fast-paced digital marketplaces and global businesses run on machines that have already decreased the need for excessive manpower. It was the biggest economic change the world has ever experienced and appears not to be ending any time soon if data and algorithms continue to influence the domain of technology.

Findings

The modern world relies completely on exchanging capital for labor which creates economic growth and it is indeed one of the biggest concern that today’s technological leaps are rapidly decreasing the need for labor.

Industry critics and analysts have supported the claim that data and algorithms will continue to transform the shape of today’s world, and to a greater extent our near future.

Turning Back Time

We have all heard about “Time Travel” in films and books and the concept of traveling into the future. But, scientists are now focused on the real possibility of going back into the time.

The Latest Scientific Development

Although it sounds like a strange concept modern-day scientists are striving to make time travel a reality by using Quantum Computing – a completely new idea and concept of computing which relies on “Qubits” instead of “bits” in classical computing technology.

After reviewing today’s research and development in the area of modern-day technology, some Russian scientists have claimed that they have actually rolled back the flow of time in a Quantum Computing based experiment.

Findings from the Experiment

According to the research published on the journal Nature Scientific Reports by Gordey Lesovik, a quantum physicist at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, he has created an artificial state that is capable of evolving in contrast to the thermodynamic arrow of time; however, the discovery is not at all capable of transforming its shape into a time machine.

Lesovik’s team has conducted numerous experiments to reverse time on a single electron programmed quantum system. Compared to the three-qubits system that is more complex and resulted in only 49% succession in the objective, they found it easier to achieve an unbelievable 85% of succession towards their desired goal with a two-qubit system.

It is imperative to understand that quantum computing has nothing to do with time traveling, but everything is currently unclear due to a lack of supporting arguments and evidence. Nevertheless, it is surprising to know that Russian scientists have made the impossible happen.

The majority of scientists, researchers, and analysts have concluded that an immense amount of comprehensive research and development is needed to achieve the desired effect from quantum computing. On the other hand, scientists continue to face several limitations to study and explore more about this subatomic discovery.

While looking at the current span of knowledge that we have about quantum physics and quantum computing, we have not yet stepped into an era where we are able to build a time machine for humans, but scientists from all over the world consider it a huge leap forward that will help them further explore quantum computing and the possibilities it may bring.

Turning Plastic Into Fuel

People all around the world are now trying to practice and actively advocate for environmental sustainability. The biggest revolution taking place these days is with the consumption of plastic items. Companies are introducing more environmentally friendly options for packaging. However, the biggest problem of plastic still remains: recycling and decomposition. More than 300 million tons of plastic actually adds up in landfills. The worst part: plastic takes centuries to decompose, killing off wildlife in the process.

However, scientists have found a way to make plastic more useful than harmful. We finally have the opportunity to turn plastic into fuel! Let’s learn more.

Who, What, Where, When?

At Purdue, the efforts of chemists finding a solution to our plastic problems have finally paid off. They have detailed their efforts and research in a paper that was published this year in Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. The chemists have found that polypropylene, plastic commonly found in medical devices, product packaging and toys, can be converted into gasoline or dieselesque fuel.

The team have stated that the fuel is so pure that is can be used in place of ‘blendstock,’ which is a main element used in different motorized vehicles.

The waste that polypropylene contributes to the world is approximately 5 billion tons that have been filling up landfills globally during the past 50 years or so.

How?

They figured out that the way to convert polypropylene into usable energy would be through the use of supercritical water. Supercritical water is an underdeveloped stage of water when both the characters of gas and liquid can be demonstrated, keeping in mind the temperature and pressure conditions.

Linda Wang, one of the chemists at Purdue, along with her team heated H2O to a temperature between 716 degrees and 932 degrees Fahrenheit at the pressure of 2300 times more than atmospheric pressure found at sea level.

Thus, when a pure version of polypropylene waste was mixed into supercritical water, it was changed to oil in just a few hours, varying upon the temperature conditions. It was found that heating the water at 850 degrees Fahrenheit lowered the conversion time to less than an hour.

The main by-products of this conversion process were diesel and gasolineish oils. The researchers have claimed that this process can be used as a way to convert an estimated 90% of worldwide polypropylene waste into fuel every year!

Here is what Linda Wang said about this discovery: “Plastic waste disposal, whether recycled or thrown away, does not mean the end of the story. Plastics degrade slowly and release toxic microplastics and chemicals into the land and the water. This is a catastrophe because once these pollutants are in the oceans, they are impossible to retrieve completely.”

The Bottom Line

This discovery is a monumental breakthrough discovery that could possibly save the planet and all of its inhabitants! The way proposed can be adopted worldwide and will not only help us to keep our environment cleaner but help us make out lives more sustainable.

“Dream Chaser” Space Cargo Plane

Make some space for the Dream Chaser, the newest commercial cargo plane, ready for service. NASA has given the green light to Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to officially start mass producing the ‘Dream Chaser.’ The Dream Chaser is a commercial cargo plane specifically made to go into space. The first dream mission has been scheduled for 2020. SNC cleared the Commercial Resupply Services 2 contract and can now begin completely producing the space cargo carrier. These carriers can now carry cargo to the ISS. Let’s explore what this whole dream chaser situation is all about.

How Long Till Dreams Can Be Chased?

Originally, the ‘Dream Chaser,’ was conceptualized for the commercial crew program funded by NASA. However, NASA preferred the designs sent in by SpaceX and Boeing instead. The original Dream Chaser was redesigned and now has many new features. The new version is able to carry cargo weighing up to 5,500 kgs (12,125 lbs) up to the ISS and come back with 1,850 kgs (4078 lbs) of cargo back to Earth. It also has foldable wings.

Out of three companies, including Orbital ATK and SpaceX, SNC received a contract in 2016 for commercial cargo to be sent to the ISS by NASA. In this contract, each corporation is guaranteed a minimum of 6 ISS delivery missions.

Some components of the complete Dream Chaser design have been produced as well as tested already. SNC’s Space Exploration Systems VP, Steve Lindsey said in a conference in October 2018 that he was expecting the major part of the first Dream Chaser to be assembled and tested by October 2019.

Features of the Dream Chaser

The Dream Chaser is basically a multi-mission spacecraft that has been specifically designed to transport cargo and crew to destinations with low-earth orbit (LEO) just like where the ISS is situated.

The Dream Chaser showcases third-generation design and is 9 meters long, approximately ¼ of the length of traditional space shuttle orbiters. The dream chaser spacecraft contains a cargo bay which is spacious enough to carry a large cargo, for example, components to be used for the ISS or the Hubble Telescope.

The Dream Chaser will be able to not only deliver cargo and return with disposal but also be able to carry supplies such as science experiments, food and water and return back to Earth efficiently. The Dream Chaser is fully automated, launching, flying and landing by itself. This spacecraft that works on autopilot can be reused more than 15 times. The cargo and crew can be accessed immediately after landing. It is also compatible with commercial runways.

Future Of Space Exploration

Any commercial spacecraft manufacturing is usually hindered by the expensive costs. The more competition there is, the more likely new innovative ideas are likely to emerge. This is because 80% of the expenses are for the launching.

Just a mere year and a half is left till the Dream Chaser is set to chase some dreams and further space exploration.

New Hadron Collider

In the search for particles and in the name of science, physicists have gone to great lengths to satiate man’s hunger for knowledge. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that in this quest, the largest ever built machine would be the Hadron Collider, the particle accelerator. More commonly called the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) was built by the CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) which was established in the year 1954, the main purpose of this lab’s research is particle acceleration and detection.

The purpose of LHC has been to provide physicists enough grounds where they can practice and test their theories of particle physics. However, LHC will soon have a successor which in many ways will be bigger, and better – the Future Circular Collider (FCC).

Why did the world of science decide that LHC needed a stronger replacement?

Why the need of FCC

Image: Dominionart / Shutterstock.com

From its point of conception, LHC was definitely the most awaited machine in the physicist’s world as the previous models of subatomic particles and their interaction tests weren’t making sense. With the very existence of LHC, the most important thing that happened was the way it transformed how particle physics looked. The much-discussed discovery of Higgs Boson was made, that filled in the questionable gaps in the theories but after that, there has not been any new discoveries.

According to CERN, a new collider might be able to take a further leap into the mysteries of the particle world. Starting from the understanding of dark matter, the concept of matter in contrast to the antimatter. This may not be a very popular belief somehow, as there are other scientists who do not believe that a new bigger machine would lead to any newer discoveries.

CERNs’ Main Concern for Building FCC

CERN claims that this new collider would be three to four times the size and possess seven to ten times the power of the LHC making it faster and able to cover larger parameters with more precision.

What LHC has been able to do for science is give answers to several unanswered questions and paint a complete picture of the standard model of particle physics. This is precisely what CERN wishes to accomplish from the making of this newer version, perhaps uncovering many other unsolved, unanswered mysteries.