Quantum Computing Is Mathematically Better, But Not Always [Byline]

October 25, 2018 / Gary Hilson

TORONTO — It’s always been assumed that quantum computing is better — at least to the layperson. But IBM research scientists have now actually proven mathematically that quantum computing is faster than a classical computer for certain problems.

The critical word, however, is “certain.” In a telephone interview with EE Times, Bob Sutor, vice president of IBM Q Ecosystem and Strategy, said this mathematical proof demonstrates concretely the difference between certain types of computations that can be done with a quantum computer versus a classical computer.

Read the full story on EE Times.

Gary Hilson is a freelance writer with a focus on B2B technology, including information technology, cybersecurity, and semiconductors.

IBM Simulates Complex Chemistry with Quantum Computing [Byline]

September 14, 2017 / Gary Hilson

TORONTO — A novel algorithm developed by IBM scientists is improving the understanding of complex chemical reactions and optimizing quantum computing.

The scientists have developed a new approach to simulate molecules on a quantum computer using a seven-qubit quantum processor to address the molecular structure problem for beryllium hydride (BeH2), which is the largest molecule simulated on a quantum computer to date, according to IBM. The results are significant as they could lead to practical applications such as the creation of novel materials, development of personalized drugs and discovery of more efficient and sustainable energy sources.

In a telephone interview with EE Times, IBM quantum computer research team member Abhinav Kandala outlined how they implemented an algorithm that is efficient with respect to the number of quantum operations required for the simulation. Using six qubits of a seven-qubit processor, they were able to measure BeH2’s lowest energy state, a key measurement for understanding chemical reactions. The results were just published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature, which Kandala co-authored.

Read the full story on EE Times.

Gary Hilson is a freelance writer with a focus on B2B technology, including information technology, cybersecurity, and semiconductors.

IBM expands cloud services portfolio with DashDB Enterprise massive parallel processing [Portfolio]

July 29, 2015 / Gary Hilson

IBM is putting data warehousing into the cloud. Having formally launched IBM Cloud Data Services earlier this year, the company has been pulling together a broad proud portfolio of services, including the integration of Cloudant, a database-as-a-service provider it acquired in March 2014.

DashDB Enterprise MPP (massive parallel processing), is the first new major product for IBM Cloud Data Services, and uses in-memory technology to speed up analysis. It is a fully managed data warehouse that the company said gives an enterprises a method of analyzing their operations without requiring the resources to running something on-premise; customers can use it to either extend on-premises data warehouses to the cloud or build new, self-service cloud warehousing infrastructure. [Read the full story on IT World Canada]