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Intel invests $50M into quantum computing research

By Marilyn Malara
Intel CEO Brian Krzanich delivers a key note address prior to the 2014 International CES, a trade show of consumer electronics, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 6, 2014. Krzanich announced Thursday his decision to endorse quantum computing research with a $50M grant. Photo by Molly Riley/UPI
1 of 3 | Intel CEO Brian Krzanich delivers a key note address prior to the 2014 International CES, a trade show of consumer electronics, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 6, 2014. Krzanich announced Thursday his decision to endorse quantum computing research with a $50M grant. Photo by Molly Riley/UPI | License Photo

DELFT, Netherlands, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Intel Corporation announced Thursday it will invest $50 million into quantum computing research over the course of ten years.

Company CEO Brian Krzanich published an open letter outlining his support of quantum research and announced Intel's partnership with QuTech, the quantum research institute Delft University of Technology, and TNO, the Dutch Organization for Applied Research.

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The investment will fund physics and quantum computing research efforts while the partnership will also provide engineering resources and technical support to the university over the course of ten years.

"Quantum computing is one of the more promising areas of long-term research we've been exploring in our labs, with some of the smartest engineers in the world," Krzanich wrote. "We believe it has the potential to augment the capabilities of tomorrow's high performance computers."

Intel joins Google and IBM in its efforts to advance quantum computing research.

Quantum computers work in a fundamentally different way than digital computers which lead today's information technology environment. Instead of the binary digits used to program digital PCs and other devices, quantum bits (qubits) are used. These basic units of information are capable of being in multiple states simultaneously, Intel says, and so can perform massive numbers of calculations simultaneously.

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Both Intel Vice President Mike Mayberry and Krzanich believe quantum computing will be available within 12 years, and Intel's inclusion in the efforts will only ensure advancement.

"Expertise in specialized electronics combined with advanced physics is required to move quantum computing closer to being a reality," Mayberry said. "While qubit development has been the focus of quantum computing research to date, low-temperature electronics will be required to connect, control and measure multiple qubits, and this is where we can contribute. Our collaboration with QuTech will explore quantum computing breakthroughs that could influence the industry overall."

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