Quantum computers have long promised to do things ordinary machines cannot. Inspired by Richard Feynman’s idea of simulating nature using quantum physics itself, researchers have spent decades building ever larger machines, with limited practical results.
That may now be starting to change. Recent experiments show quantum computers modelling magnetic materials, superconductivity and exotic states of matter that push classical computers to their limits. These machines are not useful yet, but they offer the clearest signs so far that quantum computing could finally live up to the hype.
The challenge now is scale, building powerful and reliable systems without the massive energy costs they may demand.
Learn more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2511893-how-to-finally-get-a-grasp-on-quantum-computing/
