A leading use for quantum computers might not need them after all - New Scientist
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⚡ Quantum Brief
A key application touted for quantum computers—simulating FeMoco, a molecule critical to nitrogen fixation—may not require quantum tech after all, new research suggests. FeMoco enables microbes to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, a process vital for life.
The discovery challenges a major justification for quantum computing’s agricultural potential, as classical supercomputers might now handle this complex simulation. This undermines claims that quantum machines are uniquely suited for such tasks.
FeMoco’s industrial replication could revolutionize fertilizer production, slashing energy use and boosting crop yields. Understanding its mechanism has been a top target for quantum simulations due to its molecular complexity.
Quantum advocates have long argued that simulating FeMoco would demonstrate quantum advantage, but this development suggests classical systems may close the gap sooner than expected.
The shift raises questions about quantum computing’s near-term practical applications, as researchers reassess which problems truly demand quantum solutions over conventional high-performance computing.
Do quantum computers offer a way to vastly improve agriculture?Marijan Murat/dpa/Alamy As quantum computers continue to advance, identifying problems they can solve faster than the world’s best conventional computers is becoming increasingly important – but it turns out that a key task held up as a future goal by quantum proponents may not need a quantum computer at all. The task in question involves a molecule called FeMoco, which plays a vital role in making life on Earth possible. That is because it is part of the process of nitrogen fixation, in which microbes convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, making it biologically accessible to most other living organisms. How exactly FeMoco works during this process is complicated and not fully understood, but if we could crack it and replicate it on an industrial scale, it could drastically cut the energy involved in producing fertilisers, potentially leading to a boost in crop yields. Advertisement Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.
