Abstract:
The group proposal and presentation for my group was on quantum computing. Quantum computers are theoretical computers that can store more data and compute information much faster than modern computers. With the rapid growth of data information collection due to the widespread use of computing devices, such as computers and smartphones, the need for increased data storage is imminent. Additionally, such a device would help further scientific study in many fields of research. In the group proposal and presentation, my group and I discuss the process of building a quantum computer, the positives and negatives of building a quantum computer, and why we should ultimately attempt to build a quantum computer.
Group Proposal:
Quantum Computing
Final Project
Jeremy Grey, Chowdhury Sarwar, Abdul Rafid, Kirana Ali, Dewan Tahmid
Summary:
Us being Computer Science majors we wanted to find a solution to solving tough algorithms faster and decided to develop quantum computers as they are the better version of classical computers. Both try to solve problems by analyzing data provided and coming up with the most effective solution. However, the way that each manipulates the data provided is fundamentally different. The basic component of information in quantum computing is the qubit. This is different from the classical bits used by classical computers because in classical computing bits are transistors that can be off or on and have the states of 0 and 1. But, in qubit there is the chance of taking into consideration superpositions, which is what state a quantum object is in as it may have chances of existing in several states, like an electron an electron which can exist in both lower energy level and upper energy level. This was not possible with classical computers. Taking this into consideration helps solve specific problems which classical computers might have been unable to do. Not only that, quantum computing also takes advantage of entanglement, in simpler words, looks for similarities between quantum objects. This helps solve problems faster as it can cut down the probability of a solution by a lot if the same things show up over and over through entanglement. A conclusion can be made of it being the solution to the problem. However, this idea requires further research and investment as the materials required to acquire quantum computing still aren’t available but educated guesses of the estimate can be made by comparing it to building a super computer which is the fastest form of classical computer available right now. It falls roughly around $500 million.
Introduction:
A quantum computer is a computer that uses quantum states, such as superposition and entanglement, to store information and perform computation. Conventional computers use ones and zeros to compute operations. A conventional computer has limited computational power as it can only process a one or a zero sequentially. A quantum computer analyzes a one and a zero, just like a conventional computer, however, they also use something known as qubits, which allows quantum computers to use a third state called superposition. Superposition allows quantum computers to analyze a one and a zero at the same time. This significantly reduces the time it takes a quantum computer to process information compared to conventional computers.
The reason why we need to create a quantum computer is that quantum computers can drastically shorten the time needed to process large mathematical problems that are important to many fields of scientific research and engineering issues. Additionally, quantum computers can store and process large amounts of data collected from various applications. Over time, the need for larger data space and more powerful processors will increase due to the widespread use of computing technology, such as smartphones and computers. Quantum computers can solve our data storage problems in the future and help further scientific and engineering progress.
This is important due to the fact that to send a secure message or to have any files shared from a computer, you would need to be able to make sure that what is being sent to the public is for the public. When it comes to private keys, it may be for only higher ups in the company or for private companies. It may be extra files that are only accessed by specific people. The way they do this is by creating algorithmic codes that can be only accessed by people who created the codes or the people who know the code.
Proposed Programs:
What you see here is the basic process of how files and personal information is taken. You start off with the plain text and the receiver’s public key, which is called an Encryption. This encryption is what we all can see like if someone sends a photo through text, you can see the photo without any restrictions. Ciphertext is encrypted information that no human can understand and encode it unless they have a computer that has the cipher to encrypt it. What the computer does is decrypts the text and creates the original text. For example, random number and word combinations would look like that to you but once you have the computer to decrypt the text, it can have coordinates, dates, names, area codes, anything that would show the original text to the person who saw it.
Usually the text that people need to decrypt is they have to receive the private key to be able to be able to see what the original text would be. It can vary from length and time, the more code that is there to decrypt, the more time it has to take to decrypt. Having this process makes it possible for people to get private information and be able to pass from person to person.
Innovation Process:
Quantum computers are highly sensitive to their environment. Under room temperature conditions, the computer undergoes a process called decoherence, which is the loss of information of a system into the environment over time. This can limit the lifespan of a quantum computer to mere seconds. In order to function properly and for a long time, quantum computers need to be placed in cryogenic conditions. Additionally, most software electronics today are created to function in room temperature environments. Engineers need to create electronic hardware that can function in cryogenic environments to be used in building a quantum computer. All in all, in order to build a quantum computer, we need a cryogenic chamber room to place the computer in and cryogenic electronics, to be used as the materials to physically build the computer.
It is difficult to predict the cost of production for building a quantum computer as many of the resources needed to build a quantum computer do not exist yet. However, we know that a theoretical quantum computer will be several times more powerful than the largest supercomputer today, “Summit” built by IBM. As a result, we can assume that the cost of the production of a quantum computer will be several times greater than that of Summit. Summit’s cost of production was approximately two hundred million dollars so a quantum computer will possibly have a cost of production close to high hundred million dollars to a billion dollars or more.
Conclusion:
Overall, quantum computing is going to be really helpful. It is several difficult tasks that are time consuming and ineffective in the real world. It’ll be a valuable resource for all sorts of businesses that use big databases, Wall street can use it to optimize their portfolios. Scientists can use it for further research into artificial intelligence and more discoveries. Even the government when it comes to finding a specific location that requires solving tough algorithms. It has the potential of being a revolutionary device and a widely used one like our classical computers one day. It may be too expensive and tough to produce it but once mastered the market for it will be unimaginable. Additionally quantum computers need a very controlled environment that has no electromagnetic environment and temperatures that need to be close to absolute zero since these factors can affect its performance. Regardless, many have financial interest on it since it can lead to revolutionary discoveries.
Appendix A
Hacking Statistic
As you can see below, it talks about the fact that there are many hackers that are able to contain private information from random people. Already, 423 million people have gotten hacked and this has caused many Americans to focused and be more worried about getting hacked more than any other crime.
Work Cited:
15 Things Everyone Should Know About Quantum Computing. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bernardmarr.com/default.asp?contentID=1193
Bonsor, K., & Strickland, J. (2000, December 8). How Quantum Computers Work. Retrieved from https://computer.howstuffworks.com/quantum-computer1.htm
Bourzac, K. (2019, April 15). To upgrade quantum computers, researchers look to materials science. Retrieved from https://cen.acs.org/materials/electronic-materials/upgrade-quantum-computers-researchers-look/97/i15
Gamble, S. (2019, January 28). Quantum Computing: What It Is, Why We Want It, and How We’re Trying to Get It. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538701/
When can Quantum Annealing win? (2015, December 8). Retrieved from https://ai.googleblog.com/2015/12/when-can-quantum-annealing-win.html
Wolfson, E. (2018, June 10). The US just retook the title of world’s fastest supercomputer from China. Retrieved from https://qz.com/1301510/the-us-has-the-worlds-fastest-supercomputer-again-the-200-petaflop-summit/
Group Presentation: