Monthly Archives: September 2023

The price of being late is far too great, EvolutionQ CEO Michele Mosca says.

Quantum security startup EvolutionQ is contributing to a Bank of Canada research project involving quantum-safe cybersecurity technologies for digital currencies.

EvolutionQ co-founder and CEO Michele Mosca believes that given recent advancements in the space, its time for organizations to future-proof their systems and ensure they are ready to weather the threat of quantum computers by migrating to quantum-safe cryptography. Cryptography is the process of hiding or coding information (also called encrypting) so that it is only available to the person its intended for.

We cant tolerate much risk herewe need to be ready. EvolutionQ CEO Michele Mosca

Quantum computers have the potential to process massive amounts of data much more quickly than the classical computers we use every day, meaning that in the wrong hands, they could be used to breach conventional password-based security systems. Quantum computers are not currently widely available commercially.

Mosca has previously warned that The stakes are very high, given that almost everything in todays world is connected by technology. Its the entire economy, he said. Its not just information security and safety Its operational technology, cyber-physical systems, driverless cars, implanted medical devices.

While the development of quantum computers has been slow-moving, Mosca says organizations cant afford to wait to update their cybersecurity. We cant tolerate much risk herewe need to be ready, he said. The price of being too late is far too great.

One potential impact of quantum computers would be on the proposed Canadian digital dollar. The Bank of Canada is exploring technologies and technical ecosystems that may help decide how a Canadian digital dollar would be developed.

A digital dollar, or central bank digital currency (CBDC), would be different from cryptocurrency, as it would just be a form of the Canadian dollar and not tied to cryptocurrency fluctuations. Several countries already use or are experimenting with digital-only currencies, and there is potential for them to facilitate faster and more secure digital payments (no more waiting one to three business days for a transaction to clear). However, like any digital system, there would be challenges to rolling out a digital dollar securely.

Working with the central bank, evolutionQ will analyze approaches to meet the advances in cryptography, including quantum computing, to improve the security of central bank digital currencies.

Through the engagement with the bank, evolutionQ will analyze approaches to work out how to respond to advances in cryptography, including quantum computing, to improve the security of central bank digital currencies.

Cryptography experts Michele Mosca, Norbert Ltkenhaus, and David Jao co-founded evolutionQ. With offices in Waterloo, Ont., and Aachen, Germany, EvolutionQ says it works to help organizations ready themselves for quantum computers.

In June of last year, the startup raised over $7 million CAD ($5.5 million USD) in Series A financing, led by Quantonation, a Paris-based, quantum technology-focused VC fund, with support from Torontos The Group Ventures, to scale up its quantum-safe cybersecurity tech.

RELATED: Xanadu, Toronto Metropolitan University to develop quantum computing educational program

The research comes as investment and interest in quantum computing are growing.

At the beginning of 2023, the federal government unveiled its National Quantum Strategy (NQS), which is meant to support the growth of Canadas quantum science and technology ecosystem.

According to the Government of Canada, the NQS will focus on building on Canadas strength in quantum research, growing the nations quantum-ready technologies, companies, and talent, and solidifying the countrys global leadership in the space.

Following the establishment of the NQS, two Canadian global innovation clusters joined forces, launching $30 million in new projects to drive the commercialization of quantum technologies.

NGen and DIGITAL intend to build on Canadas National Quantum Strategy (NQS) to deliver industry-led commercial projects. The projects are designed to use quantum technologies to solve industrial and societal challenges.

In the interim, Quebec is positioning itself as a leader in the quantum space, establishing infrastructure and welcoming projects and initiatives. Quebec is gaining the Quantum Innovation Zone (DistriQ), a collective of quantum expertise based in Sherbrooke, Que., which will house both a tech hub and a factory.

The factory, announced in June, is being established by the Canadian subsidiary of the French quantum company PASQAL. Though they are two separate initiatives, both will be located in DistriQs Espace Quantique 1, a 50,000-sq. ft. building set to open in early fall.

Swedish telecom gear giant Ericsson announced in March that it is establishing a quantum research hub in Montral. And in January, Qubec became home to what will be the worlds fifth IBM quantum supercomputer.

But not everything in the quantum space looks so rosy, D-Wave is a cautionary reminder that the technology is still new and evolving. The company, which was founded in BC in 1999, announced in June that it would be moving its executive office to the United States. Since going public on the New York Stock Exchange last year, D-Wave has been losing money, leaving the company with a significant cash crunch, according to The Globe and Mail.

Feature image of EvolutionQ CEO Michele Mosca, Chief Cryptographer David Jao, CTO Norbert Ltkenhaus, and VP Brian Neill, courtesy EvolutionQ.

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Bank of Canada taps EvolutionQ to explore impact of quantum ... - BetaKit - Canadian Startup News

This article presents a quarterly round-up of the latest trends in the technology industry regarding quantum computing. It provides an overview of recent developments in quantum computing-related deals, talent acquisition, and patent filings within the technology industry.

Technology companies in the field of quantum computing are leveraging the latest patents to innovate and improve their businesses. Intel Corp has developed technologies for radiofrequency optimized interconnects for a quantum processor. These interconnects, carried in coplanar waveguides, increase thermal coupling and cooling of the quantum processor die. Waseda University has created a quantum computing unit that deterministically operates multiple quantum systems, allowing for more efficient quantum computing. UnitedHealth Group Inc has developed techniques for diagnosis and treatment recommendations using quantum computing, encoding patient information as qubits and implementing quantum search algorithms. Quantum Computing Inc has focused on machine learning mapping for quantum processing units, decomposing mathematical problems into quantum circuits and solving them using a classical computer system. International Business Machines Corp has developed an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for cryogenic temperature operation in semiconductor quantum devices. These patents provide the acquirers with advancements in quantum computing technologies and applications, enabling them to enhance their capabilities and drive innovation in the field.

The industry experienced an 11% growth in the number of quantum computing-related patent applications in Q2 2023 compared with the previous quarter. On an annual basis, the number of quantum computing-related patent applications in the technology industry witnessed a rise of 5% compared with Q2 2022.

Technology companies are not only focusing on innovation to enhance their patent portfolios but are also making strategic investments in quantum computing. These investments aim to secure lucrative deals with partners and position themselves at the forefront of industry advancements. Some of the recent deals underscore the importance of quantum computing in the technology industry.

In Q2 2023, the number of quantum computing-related deals in the technology industry declined by 24% compared with Q2 2022. On a quarterly basis, there was 65% drop in the number of deals in Q2 2023 compared with the previous quarter.

In terms of new job posting, in Q2 2023, the technology industry experienced a 30% drop compared with the previous quarter. On an annual basis, job postings also declined by 42%. Notably, computer and mathematical occupations, with a share of 24%, emerged as the top quantum computing-related job roles within the technology industry in Q2 2023, with new job postings drop by 14% quarter-on-quarter. Management occupations came in second with a share of 13% in Q2 2023, with new job postings dropping by 27% over the previous quarter. The other prominent quantum computing roles include architecture and engineering occupations with a 7% share in Q2 2023, and life, physical, and social science occupations with a 4% share of new job postings.

Science Applications International, IonQ, Microsoft, International Business Machines, and SES are among the top companies leading in quantum computing hiring within the technology industry.

The US is the leading country in quantum computing adoption within the technology industry, boasting the highest number of quantum computing-related patents, jobs, and deals. Meanwhile, the UK, Germany, Japan and China also maintain significant positions in quantum computing adoption within the technology industry.

In summary, the technology industry is increasingly prioritizing quantum computing-related patents to drive innovation. However, strategic deals in this field have declined, and job postings have seen a notable decrease, reflecting changing dynamics in the industry. These trends highlight the evolving landscape of quantum computing within the technology sector and its far-reaching influence across various industries.

To further understand GlobalData's analysis on quantum computing in the technology industry, buy the report here.

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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence,providedthe underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalDatapatent analytics tracks patent filings and grants across companies and themes. Proprietary databases on deals and job analyticsare used to respectivelymonitorglobal deal activity and uncover insights from daily job postings toidentifytrends, company activities, and industry dynamics across different sectors globally.

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Quantum Computing Trends: Innovations, Investments & Hiring in ... - Verdict

Five years ago, Congress passed the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA). In the years since, research on quantum entanglement won the Nobel Prize in Physics and applications that once seemed impossible now appear to be within reach.? 

For those applications, global private investment in quantum startups has surged, reaching $2.35 billion in 2022. However, the U.S. government must strengthen its commitment to this crucial technology, broadening the investments from basic science to supporting technology and engineering. 

With the NQIA due for reauthorization on Sept. 30, we urge Congress to prioritize this legislation.? 

While AI continues to capture headlines and national attention, the global race towards quantum technology continues apace, with applications in communication, computation and sensing that promise to revolutionize our world.? 

Quantum computation will allow us to solve problems that cannot be solved on classical computers — enabling such real-world gains as greater agriculture yields and the development of new vaccines, drugs and medical treatments.? Quantum sensing will allow greater precision timing than GPS systems with implications for navigation, defense applications and financial networks.? And while widely used encryption will be rendered vulnerable by quantum computing, quantum communication promises physically secure communication.? 

Our success in delivering on quantum’s potential depends on two primary inputs: investment and talent.?? 

Investment, of course, is more than dollars. The NQIA has done a commendable job of setting clear U.S. priorities and facilitating cross-sector and multidisciplinary coordination. The proposal to invest in new quantum accelerators and testbeds is welcome, as is the mandate to strengthen NIST’s role in science and standard setting.?Doing so will incubate promising quantum research and development activities and position the U.S. to steer the course of quantum innovation. 

The recent National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee (NQIAC) report called for, and we agree, greater flexibility in the use of funding, allowing researchers to remain agile in pursuing new, emerging avenues of research. Signaling long-term commitment (the current legislation ends in 2028) and fully funding NQI activities and quantum portions of the CHIPS and Science Act are essential.? 

Robust bipartisan support for quantum research and development will continue to catalyze private and university investment and spur start-up activity. The University of Pittsburgh — where one of us is the founding director of the Institute for Cyber Law, Policy and Security and the other is vice chancellor for research infrastructure — recently announced a $11.6 million investment to establish the Western Pennsylvania Quantum Information Core, providing researchers with state-of-the-art instrumentation. We are proud to play our part in the “whole-of-nation,” all-hands-on-deck push to deliver quantum technologies for the American people – and to ensure that the gains aren’t restricted to corporate interests.?? 

The talent piece is more complicated. Funding alone, no matter how substantial, cannot generate the quantum workforce the country needs. We are in the process of training a quantum workforce; the University of Pittsburgh was one of the first in the country to offer quantum computing as an undergraduate major. Since that time, Harvard, the University of Maryland and other institutions have offered various programs on the subject. 

We are excited by the newly proposed student traineeships, fellowships and other training models. Such opportunities will position students for rewarding and groundbreaking careers. But those programs will take time — years — to yield the highly skilled workers that the field needs. In the meantime, and to ensure enduring U.S. primacy in the field, there exists an inexorable need to open the door to foreign talent wider.? 

In this regard, robust cross-border collaboration can augment U.S.-based talent, so we welcome the proposed International Quantum Cooperation Strategy. Continuing and expanding international partnerships that capitalize upon the unique capabilities of U.S. strategic partners and allies is a key element to ensuring global technological leadership.?? 

As we look towards quantum, the next technological game changer on the horizon, now is the time to double down. Congress can help deliver on that promise through decisive bipartisan reauthorization of the NQIA.? 

David Hickton?is the founding director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security. He was the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania from 2010-2016.? 

Robert K. Cunningham is the vice chancellor for research infrastructure at the University of Pittsburgh. He also serves as the executive director of Pittsburgh Quantum Institute.? 

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Congress must seize the opportunity to double down on quantum technology - The Hill

Quantum computing

In my letter to the editor last week, I mentioned quantum computing as a developing technology and the need for people skilled in STEM subjects, so Ill describe quantum computing.

Quantum computing is a new approach to calculation that uses principles of fundamental physics to solve extremely complex problems very quickly. They wont replace todays computers, but by using the principles of quantum physics, they will be capable of solving very complex statistical problems that todays computers cant. Quantum computing is considered as one of the next big developments in technology.

Conventional computing, the technology that powers laptops and smartphones, is based on bits. A bit is a unit of information that can store either a zero or a one. Whereas, quantum computing is based on quantum bits, or qubits, which can store zeros and ones. By a process called superposition, qubits can represent any combination of both zero and one simultaneously.

When conventional computers solve a problem with multiple variables, they must conduct a new calculation each time a variable changes. Each calculation is a single answer to a single query. Quantum computers, however, have a larger working area, which means they can explore a massive number of paths simultaneously.

Quantum computers dont produce one distinct answer like conventional computers do; instead, they deliver a range of possible answers. For calculations that are limited in scope, conventional computers are still the preferred utensils. However, for very complex problems, quantum computers can save time by narrowing down the range of possible answers.

The kind of quantum computers that are capable of solving major problems will be expensive, complicated machines. Over the next few years, the number of qubits that computers can handle will steadily increase, but progress is expected to be slow. It is estimated that by 2030, only about 5,000 quantum computers will be operational. The hardware and software required to handle the most complex problems may not exist until 2035 or later. But some businesses will begin to derive value from quantum well before then.

Researchers theorize that four industries stand to gain short-term benefits from quantum computing:

Edwin Gillmore

Blossburg

At 97 years old, I have seen a lot of changes in this country. I have read about the flood. I think we have three things we have to worry about. That is: fire, Communism by China and some greedy politicians.

Have the politicians tell where they stand on vital things like same sex marriages, China and things vital to our way of life.

Glen Campbell

Wellsboro

The 2023 Tioga County Relay for Life, held Aug. 26 on the Green in Wellsboro, was a huge success. This would not have been possible without the volunteers, sponsors, speakers, Relay teams and vendors.

I would like to acknowledge the volunteers who worked hard to ensure everything was set-up, torn down and ran smoothly. A special thank you to Ron Butler, Coleen Evert, Jenn Sporer, local youth volunteers, Scott Harkeness and the people from Tioga County Probation who ensured all the tents, tables, and chairs were set up for the day.

Many thanks to the Survivors Tent volunteers Sonya Gleason, Adam Mohanske and Peg Frock, who warmly welcomed our cancer survivors. I also appreciate the support of Deb Meacham who ensures our donations get sent to the American Cancer Society.

Our generous community sponsors donated decorations and refreshments for the Survivors Tent. The flowers were provided by Meads Greenhouse in Mansfield, and the refreshments were thanks to PRSM Healthcare, Weis Markets, TOPS Friendly Market, and both the Mansfield and Wellsboro Dunkin shops.

Each year Seneca Resources is a vital part of the Tioga County Relay for Life and their all-day help with heavy lifting, water and ice, as well as financial support is greatly appreciated.

White Lightning Entertainment provided sound and their participation made possible the community entertainment groups. The days entertainment was provided by Rhythms Academy, First Position Dance Studio and Steps of Expression Dance Studio. Linda Berkowitz, Gail Bollinger and Luanne Goodwin, in addition to our Honorary Chair Marcie Dinnison, presented inspiring speeches.

Outdoor events always rely on space and electricity. The Borough of Wellsboro and the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce demonstrated their support through their contribution of the Green and the electrical connection.

The Green was filled with vendors and teams all working to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Thank you to the Relay teams: Presbyterian Angels, Hornet Thunder, Katiebugs, PRSM Tumorators, St. Pauls Soleful Strutters, Team CONCERN, KCA and Seans Miracle Team. This years vendors were Mia Bella Candles and Watkins Spices, Handmade Jewelry by Bobbi Shields, Cutting Edge Wellness, From the Farm, The Wandering Barista, Dragonfly Scents by Julie Whitesell, Lemongrass Spa by Donna Ware, Christine Averys Homemade Cookies and Brailee Stiner.

Finally I would like to express my deep gratitude to my friend and valued assistant, Samantha DeBockler. Without her, the day would not have run as smoothly as it did.

I appreciate the help everyone provided to make this event a success by continuing to raise awareness and keep support of survivors and ongoing cancer research as a community and national priority. I look forward to next years Relay for Life, and count on our continued collaboration. For more information, email tiogactyparelayforlife@gmail.com.

Heather English

Tioga County Relay for Life Chair

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Letters to the Editor | Opinion | tiogapublishing.com - The Wellsboro Gazette

1. Wave-Particle Duality:

In quantum physics, particles like electrons and photons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties. They can behave as discrete particles or as waves, depending on how they are observed. This dual nature challenges our intuitive understanding of matter.

Quantum particles can exist in multiple states or positions simultaneously. This phenomenon, known as superposition, leads to bizarre scenarios where particles seem to be in multiple places at once until observed.

When two quantum particles become entangled, their properties become correlated in such a way that the state of one particle instantly influences the state of the other, regardless of the distance separating them. This phenomenon famously led Einstein to call it spooky action at a distance.

Quantum particles can tunnel through energy barriers that classical physics suggests should be impenetrable. This phenomenon is critical in explaining how particles like protons can fuse in the sun despite lacking sufficient kinetic energy. Think wormhole.

The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle states that we cannot simultaneously know a particles exact position and momentum. The more precisely we measure one, the less precisely we can measure the other, introducing a fundamental limit to our knowledge.

When two quantum waves overlap, they can reinforce or cancel each other out, creating interference patterns. This concept is evident in the famous double-slit experiment, where particles exhibit both wave and particle behaviors.

While quantum systems are often depicted as pristine and isolated, in reality, they interact with their surroundings, leading to a loss of quantum coherence. Understanding and mitigating this process is crucial for quantum computing and communication.

Quantum particles, like electrons, possess an intrinsic property called spin. This spin is quantized and can be in a superposition of states. Its not the same as the macroscopic idea of spinning; its a fundamental property of particles.

In the quantum world, teleportation isnt science fiction; its a real phenomenon. It involves the transmission of quantum information from one location to another without physical movement.

Quantum computers use qubits (quantum bits) that can exist in superpositions of states. This enables them to perform certain calculations exponentially faster than classical computers. Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize fields from cryptography to drug discovery.

Originally posted here:

10 Mind-Bending Concepts in Quantum Physics | by The Quantum ... - Medium

PRESS RELEASE

Published August 31, 2023

D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS), a leader in quantum computing systems, software and services, was one of three stocks listed in a recent InvestorPlace article. The article, titled "These Are the Only Quantum Computing Stocks to Consider in August 2023," noted that generative AI has received a lot of attention this year but that quantum computing is likely to bring the real digital revolution. Calling quantum computing a "new technological revolution," the article noted that the technology has the potential to leapfrog generative AI because quantum computers can better approximate how human brains function.

Regarding D-Wave Quantum, the article recognized that the company was one of the world's oldest and most established quantum computing companies. It pointed to the strides the company has made toward further commercialization of its core product as well as a 146% increase in revenue bookings year-over-year, "which speaks to enterprises recognizing the value of D-Wave quantum annealing technology." The InvestorPlace contributor also pointed out that the company anticipates 2023 revenues to total between $11 million and $13 million, representing between 52.8% and 80.5% year-over-year revenue growth.

To view the full article, visit https://ibn.fm/BC1RE

About D-Wave Quantum Inc.

D-Wave is a leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems, software and services, and is the world's first commercial supplier of quantum computers -- and the only company building both annealing quantum computers and gate-model quantum computers. The company's mission is to unlock the power of quantum computing today to benefit business and society. D-Wave does this by delivering customer value with practical quantum applications for problems as diverse as logistics, artificial intelligence, materials sciences, drug discovery, scheduling, cybersecurity, fault detection and financial modeling. D-Wave's technology is being used by some of the world's most advanced organizations, including Volkswagen, Mastercard, Deloitte, Davidson Technologies, ArcelorMittal, Siemens Healthineers, Unisys, NEC Corporation, Pattison Food Group Ltd., DENSO, Lockheed Martin, Forschungszentrum Julich, University of Southern California and Los Alamos National Laboratory. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.DWaveSys.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and may not be indicative of future results. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential of quantum computing and D-Wave's anticipated revenue for 2023. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, various factors beyond management's control, including general economic conditions and other risks; our ability to expand our customer base and the customer adoption of our solutions; risks within D-Wave's industry, including anticipated trends, growth rates, and challenges for companies engaged in the business of quantum computing and the markets in which they operate; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against us; risks related to the performance of our business and the timing of expected business or financial milestones; unanticipated technological or project development challenges, including with respect to the cost and/or timing thereof; the performance of our products; the effects of competition on our business; the risk that we will need to raise additional capital to execute our business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; the risk that we may never achieve or sustain profitability; the risk that we are unable to secure or protect our intellectual property; volatility in the price of our securities; the risk that our securities will not maintain the listing on the NYSE; and the numerous other factors set forth in D-Wave's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release in making an investment decision, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to QBTS are available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/QBTS

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D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS) One of Three Quantum Stocks ... - Digital Journal

ESPOO, Finland , Aug. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VTT is developing a cooling technology based on microelectronics and electric current, which can be utilised by low-temperature electronic and photonic components. The new technology reduces the size, power consumption and price of cooling systems. The method has a wide range of application fields: one topical example is quantum technology.

Many electronic, photonic and quantum technology components require cryogenics, as they only operate at very low temperatures. For example, a quantum computer built from superconducting circuits has to be cooled near to the absolute zero (-273.15C). Currently, such temperatures are achieved by complex and large dilution coolers. VTT's electronic method can replace and complement existing solutions and thus reduce the size of the refrigerators. Accordingly, this makes it possible to significantly reduce the size of quantum computers.

Electronic method as a part of the cooling system

Current dilution refrigerators are based on multistage pumping of cryogenic liquids. Although these coolers are commercial technology today, they are still very expensive and large. What makes the cooler technology complicated is especially its coldest stage, where refrigerant is a mixture of helium isotopes. New electric cooling technology could replace this part. This would make the system much simpler, smaller, more efficient and more cost effective. A cooler the size of a car, which cools a silicon chip of about a square centimeter in size, could be shrunk by orders of magnitudes down to a size of a suitcase, for example.

"We believe that this purely electric cooling method can be utilised in numerous applications requiring cryogenics, from quantum computing to sensitive radiation detectors and space technology," says VTT Research Professor Mika Prunnila , who is leading the cooler development.

New business opportunities

VTT researchers have already experimentally confirmed the functionality of the cooling method. The method is now being refined into a commercial demonstrator in SoCool-project which was granted to VTT in the highly competitive EIC-Transition program of the European Commission. VTT will also continue the highly important fundamental research of electronic coolers in the CoRE-Cryo-project, funded by the Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation.

Electric cooling can be used to actively cool components directly on a silicon chip or in large-scale general purpose refrigerators. It is a platform technology that is suitable for numerous applications and creates opportunities for new business. The active part of the cooler is manufactured using microelectronics manufacturing methods on silicon wafers, which makes the manufacturing very cost-effective.

"Making the refrigeration systems more user friendly, smaller and cheaper can significantly boost the application of cryo-enabled technologies to new areas. We see that our electronic cooling technology can play an important role in this development," Mika Prunnila says.

Cryogenics has become an area of increasing interest thanks to quantum technology. Systems developed for the extreme demands of the quantum technology can be also used in various sensors, space technology and possibly also in classical computing. Compact and easy-to-use cooling methods contribute to the large-scale adoption of these technologies. Quantum technology is expected to be only the tip of the iceberg for cryogenic, cryo-electronic and cryo-photonic applications.

For additional information:

SoCool-project

More information about the electric cooling method

A scientific article on the cooling method published by Science Advances

Media material:

Figure 1: Silicon wafer with VTT's electronic refrigerators. The wafer is under visual investigation under a microscope.

Figure 2: Schematic illustration of VTT's electronic refrigerator technology. Refrigerator chips are joined by tunnel junctions, through which the passing electrical current leads to cooling, and the lowest temperature is reached on the topmost chip.

Figure 3: VTT's electronic refrigerator prototypes going to cryogenic testing.

Further information on VTT:

Kirsi Jaatinen Specialist, Communications +358 20 722 6757, kirsi.jaatinen@vtt.fi http://www.vtt.fi

Mika Prunnila, Research Professor, VTT tel. +358 40 537 8910, mika.prunnila@vtt.fi

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VTT is developing a purely electrical cooling method that will enable ... - InvestorsObserver

A Virginia Commonwealth University engineering professor is casting fresh light on a decades-old concept, one that could spur advances from national defense to driverless cars and telecommunications.

Nathaniel Kinsey, Ph.D., Engineering Foundation Professor in VCUs Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is leading a group of researchers who are exploring frontiers in optical computing and machine learning. With a focus on nanophotonics, he studies the interaction of light with materials on the smallest of scales.

Though the concept of optical computing is not new, interest and funding waned in the 1980s and 1990s as silicon chip processing proved to be more cost-effective. But recent slowdowns in scaling silicon-based technologies have opened the door to revisiting methods of data processing.

Optical computing could be the next big thing in computing technology, Kinsey said. But there are plenty of other contenders, such as quantum computing, for the next new presence in the computational ecosystem. Whatever comes up, I think that photonics and optics are going to be more and more prevalent in these new ways of computation.

First, a quick link between man and machine: A neuron is a brain cell that helps humans think, and in the same vein, an artificial neural network helps machines learn for example, its what helps Siri understand and answer our prompts. One of the powerful components of a neural network is the perceptron, and Kinsey is looking to use light (optical signals) instead of traditional digital processing (electrical signals) to create the component. His work on nonlinear optical perceptrons has drawn funding from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the Defense Department sees optical computing as a promising step forward in military imaging.

Lets say you want to find a tank within an image, Kinsey said. Using a camera to capture the scene, translate that image into an electrical signal and run it through a traditional, silicon-circuit-based computer processor takes a lot of processing power especially when you try to detect, transfer and process higher-pixel resolutions. With the nonlinear optical perceptron, were trying to discover if we can perform the same kinds of operations purely in the optical domain without having to translate anything into electrical signals.

Elimination or minimization of electronics has been a kind of engineering holy grail for a number of years, Kinsey added. For situations where information naturally exists in the form of light, why not have an optical-in and optical-out system without electronics in the middle?

Linear optical systems, like photonic integrated circuits that are common in fiber-optic communications, use limited energy but are not capable of complex image processing. Building nonlinear optical systems would expand functionality, making them ideal for remote sensing platforms on drones and satellites for example, to identify tanks or troop movements as part of an early warning system. Kinseys research seeks to determine the impact of the additional power requirements in nonlinear optical computing.

There are potential nonmilitary applications as well, even if consumer applications might be years away. In driverless cars, optical computing could enhance LiDAR the light detection and ranging equipment that tracks obstacles and helps maintain safe distances. For microbiologists, dark-field microscopy could be improved for examining clinical samples. In telecommunications, optical neural networks could read address labels and send data packets without electronics.

As part of the research, Kinsey and collaborators from the National Institute of Standards and Technology they include Dhruv Fomra, one of Kinseys former Ph.D. students at VCU are working to design a new kind of optically sensitive material. Their goal is to engineer and produce a device combining a unique material, called epsilon-near-zero, and a nanostructured surface to offer improved control over transmission and reflection of light and with limited energy requirements, as the light is bent and shaped along the surface to perform data processing.

Kinsey used the example of putting a black plastic sheet outside on a sunny day. The heat changes its refractive index, a measure of its ability to bend light.

Thats because the object is absorbing various wavelengths of light, he said. Now, if you design a material that is orders of magnitude more complex than a sheet of black plastic, we can use this change in refractive index to modify the reflection or transmission of individual colors controlling the flow of light with light.

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The death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner mercenary chief, has set off intense speculation over the future of the worlds most dangerous private army.

In reality, the departure of the boss may not change much.

Another Wagner lieutenant can easily fill the leadership vacuum left by the plane crash that killed Mr. Prigozhin and Dmitri Utkin, his deputy and a retired Russian special forces officer who was a key member of the Wagner group.

After Mr. Prighozins failed mutiny in June, President Vladimir Putin forced many Wagner mercenaries to surrender their weapons to the Russian military, granting his generals their wish. But Wagners best fighters are in Africa. Reports emerged on Thursday that the Russian government is now moving to take control of operations of the enterprise there that Mr. Prigozhin built as a conflict entrepreneur. It is simply too profitable for Mr. Putin to fully disband.

In fact, the business model Mr. Prigozhin created with his Wagner force has been so successful that it has become a blueprint for wannabe mercenary overlords to follow, potentially emboldening up-and-coming paramilitary forces to step into unstable places, impose their might in similarly ruthless and violent ways and grab resources.

In the last 10 years, mercenary groups across the globe have proliferated and grown bolder as military contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan ended, the hired-gun labor pool expanded and norms against using private forces eroded. Mercenaries are believed to have played key roles in the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Mose of Haiti, openly battled with American troops in Syria and created a hired-gun bonanza in Libya.

When I worked in north and sub-Saharan Africa as a military contractor between 2003 and 2013, I was part of that illicit and robust market for might. The ecosystem had all the necessary components private spies, fixers, hired guns, troll farms. I saw how that loose network could surge collectively to meet demand.

That happened in 2015 when Nigeria reportedly hired mercenaries from southern Africa and ex-Soviet republics to combat Boko Haram. It also happened during the failed mercenary coup dtat of Equatorial Guinea in 2004. I had a firsthand look at how a model like Mr. Prighozins could destabilize some of the most vulnerable places on earth.

That model has been ticking along profitably since 2014. Mr. Prigozhin apparently kept an opportunistic eye on conflict markets: Any place rich in natural resources, political rivalries, post-colonial grievances and short on rule of law was ripe for exploitation.

The blueprint for what followed probably went something like this: Once he spotted an opening, he would pitch it to Mr. Putin, and, if amenable, Mr. Putin would unofficially sanction Wagners operations, sometimes providing them with military equipment and intelligence. Sending some 50,000 Wagner mercenaries to Ukraine was just one part of a larger enterprise. (Mr. Putin originally denied links to Prigozhin activities but he recently said that the Wagner group was funded by the Russian state.)

With Mr. Putins blessing in place, Mr. Prigozhin would approach the potential client, typically a head of state or group of putschists, and propose a deal. He would coup-proof them using Wagner muscle and create an elite military unit to serve them. He would use another arm of his business empire, a troll factory called the Internet Research Agency, to smear domestic opposition, popularize the client and further exploit grievances against the West. In exchange, he very likely demanded two things. First, the regime had to abandon the West and support Russias interests. Second, it had to grant Russia access to natural resources such as oil, natural gas and gold.

That system apparently helped make Mr. Prigozhin a very rich man, generating some $250 million from natural resource extraction since 2018 and providing Mr. Putin with plausible deniability as Russia sought to establish influence in resource-rich countries and fund the war in Ukraine.

The roaring success of Mr. Prigozhins model and the atrocities left in Wagners wake have troubling implications in an era when rare earth minerals and metals have become critical in manufacturing consumer electronics, renewable energy products and hardware for national defense technologies, like quantum computing. Some of the worlds largest untouched reserves lie beneath dangerous conflict landscapes in Central Africa and South Asia. Traditional mining companies cant easily operate there, but the obstacles are fewer for mercenaries, who can take an area by force, defend it against militants, the state and competitors, and provide security for smuggling out the ore.

If new conflict entrepreneurs managed to carve out a fief of rare earth minerals and deposits in the Congo region or Afghanistan, which potentially has the worlds largest deposits of lithium, they could come to control a strategic choke point in the global supply chain. They would have the power to move markets, blackmail nations and shape geopolitics, as the quasi-mercenary British East India Company once did.

Other private security companies could get into the resource business if they are able to scale. Already at least half a dozen such companies including Russian, French and Nigerian outfits are working across Africa or have the capacity to do so. In Afghanistan, the Blackwater founder Erik Prince once proposed turning over the entire nations security to mercenaries and paying for it by extracting mineral deposits and rare earths from the region.

Those companies may not be strictly mercenary groups, but as the need for these minerals continues to boom and the prospect of mining them gets riskier, expect a keener interest by private armed actors led by a conflict entrepreneur to step into the breach, like a general contractor coming in to fix your home.

This was apparently the Prigozhin model. Mr. Putin might replace his general contractor, but not the Wagner forces. The fact that the Russian leader seems to be continuing to tolerate and use and is possibly assuming more direct control over mercenaries despite their humiliating and destabilizing march on Moscow is testament to Mr. Prigozhins real legacy.

More worrying are the copycats who may also latch onto it. A world awash in mercenaries breeds more war and more human suffering.

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Opinion | Prigozhin's Real Legacy: The Mercenary Blueprint - The New York Times