Quantum computing: Revolution
The powerful pace of the technology can be assumed through our mobile phones which are millions times faster than the computers used to land Apollo 11 on the moon. Wikipedia describes quantum computing as “use of quantum-mechanical phenomena such as superposition and entanglement to perform computation.” The quantum computer concept brings a completely different perspective to the classical computer concept. Classical computers work with key-like structures that open and close, which is called bits. However, quantum computers work with interdependent and nonlinear structures called qubits. Quantum computers are fundamentally different from current classical computers. It uses the laws of quantum physics to process data. A particularly important application of quantum computers might be to simulate and analyze molecules for drug development and materials design. A quantum computer is uniquely suited for such tasks because it would operate on the same laws of quantum physics as the molecules it is simulating.
The quantum race is already underway, investors from all over the world are investing billion of dollars for the development of quantum computing. The market is expected to reach $65 billions by 2030.
Examples of how quantum computing can help
- A logistics company, delivering to 50 cities, wants to know the optimal route to save on fuel costs
- An investment company wants to balance risk of their investment portfolios
- A pharmaceutical company wants to simulate molecules to better understand drug interactions
Career in Quantum computing:
Basic physics and engineering skills are required to cater to face the practical challenges by training in systems engineering, electronic and electrical engineering, computer science, and quantum mechanics. These traits also enable students or trainees for entrepreneurial business strategies.
- Quantum Research Scientist
- Quantum Computer Engineer
- Quantum Software Engineer
Several platforms provides very good online courses to enhance the understanding of quantum computing like the one Coursera and Edx provides respectively: