Quantum computers – their potential and limits - DW

ScienceGlobal issuesQuantum computers – their potential and limitsTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video26:04ScienceGlobal issueshttps://p.dw.com/p/55hYiCopy linkQuantum computers are the next big thing in the world of computing. They should be able to calculate more accurate climate and weather forecasts, for example, or help with drug development. The only problem is that the next-generation machines only function properly under very specific conditions. It has to be incredibly cold for their superconducting circuits to work, though when they’re up and running they’ll be able to do much more than our current conventional desktops. Quantum computers can process extreme amounts of data, but we have to feed them with the right information. For example, with data collected by an airship over Germany’s tallest peak, the Zugspitze. At an altitude of 3,000 meters, far from everyday life in the valleys, a research team is using a Zeppelin to measure particulate pollution. It’s cold on the Zugspitze. There are around 200 days a year when the thermometer doesn’t rise above freezing there, and on around 40 days annually the temperature drops below -10°C. One of our viewers had a related question: Why is it colder on mountain peaks even though they are closer to the sun? Today’s other topics: Building houses with a system of reusable blocks, and why wooden houses feel so warm and cozy. Finally, something special: our colleague Esteban Pardo takes us on a trip into the quantum world with a very special song!