via Phys.org
A research collaboration led by the University of York’s Department of Physics has created open-source software to assist in the creation of quantum materials which could in turn vastly increase the world’s computing power.
Throughout the world the increased use of data centres and cloud computing are consuming growing amounts of energy – quantum materials could help tackle this problem, say the researchers.
Harvesting energy
Quantum materials – materials which exploit unconventional quantum effects arising from the collective behaviour of electrons – could perform tasks previously thought impossible, such as harvesting energy from the complete solar spectrum or processing vast amounts of data with low heat dissipation.
The design of quantum materials capable of delivering intense computing power is guided by sophisticated computer programmes capable of predicting how materials behave when ‘excited’ with currents and light signals.
Computer codes
Computational modelling has now taken a ‘quantum leap’ forward with the announcement of the Quantum KITE initiative, a suite of open-source computer codes developed by researchers in Brazil, the EU and the University of York. KITE is capable of simulating realistic materials with unprecedented numbers of atoms, making it ideally suited to create and optimise quantum materials for a variety of energy and computing applications.
Dr Aires Ferreira, a Royal Society University Research Fellow and Associate Professor of Physics, who leads the research group at the University of York, said:
“Our approach uses a new class of quantum simulation algorithms to help predict and tailor materials’ properties for a wide range of applications ranging from solar cells to low-power transistors.
“The first version of the free, open source KITE code already demonstrates very encouraging capabilities in electronic structure and device-level simulation of materials.
“KITE’s capability to deal with multi-billions of atomic orbitals, which to our knowledge is unprecedented in any area of quantum science, has the potential to unlock new frontiers in condensed matter physics and computational modelling of materials.”
One of the key aspects of KITE is its flexibility to simulate realistic materials, with different kinds of inhomogeneities and imperfections.
Dr Tatiana Rappoport from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, said:
“This open-source software is our commitment to help removing barriers to realistic quantum simulations and to promote an open science culture. Our code has several innovations, including ‘disorder cell’ approach to simulate imperfections within periodic arrangements of atoms and an efficient scheme for dealing with RAM intensive calculations that can be useful to other scientific communities and industry.”
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Quantum materials
- Artificial “Magnetic Texture” Induced in Graphene – May Lead to Powerful Quantum Computerson February 26, 2021 at 9:53 pm
Quantum science advancement could help lead to powerful spintronic devices, such as semiconductors and quantum computers. Graphene is incredibly strong, lightweight, conductive … the list of its ...
- Experts Discuss Heterostructure Engineering for Quantum Materials & Deviceson February 26, 2021 at 6:08 pm
Roorkee: Leading international and national experts from the field of quantum matters discussed the role of emergent electromagnetic phenomena in designer thin films, heterostructures, and hybrids of ...
- Superconductor experts at Fermilab lead efforts to build revolutionary quantum computerson February 26, 2021 at 3:11 pm
By Shivani Majmudar and Grace Rodgers Medill Reports The Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory, just west of Chicago, is leading one of five national centers to advance quantum computing — a move ...
- Quantum quirk yields giant magnetic effect, where none should existon February 26, 2021 at 10:54 am
In a twist befitting the strange nature of quantum mechanics, physicists have discovered the Hall effect -- a characteristic change in the way electricity is conducted in the presence of a magnetic ...
- Algorithmic Warfare: Spending on Quantum Tech on the Upswingon February 26, 2021 at 5:05 am
Investments in quantum technology — which use the manipulation of neutrons, photons, electrons and protons to perform tasks — are increasing worldwide and will reach $10 billion by 2024, according to ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Quantum materials
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Quantum simulations
- Quantum shuttle to quantum processor made in Germany launchedon February 24, 2021 at 8:11 am
The quantum computer race is in full swing. Germany has long been one of the world leaders in basic research. An alliance between Forschungszentrum Jülich and the semiconductor manufacturer Infinion, ...
- GlaxoSmithKline Marks Quantum Progress with D-Waveon February 24, 2021 at 8:09 am
Earlier this year, we projected that 2021 would be the year of quantum computing for drug discovery, positing the idea that this is one of only a few ...
- Quantum Computing for Enterprise Market Segmented by End-user Industry and Geography – Growth, Trends, and Forecast (2020 – 2027)on February 24, 2021 at 4:22 am
The global quantum computing for enterprise market is forecast to reach a market size of USD 3,907.4 Million by 2027, and register a steady revenue growth rate, according to latest analysis by Emergen ...
- A quantum computer just solved a decades-old problem three million times faster than a classical computeron February 23, 2021 at 7:27 am
Wave's researchers demonstrated that a quantum computational advantage could be achieved over classical means.
- How researchers are mapping the future of quantum computing, using the tech of todayon February 19, 2021 at 7:25 pm
Imagine a future where new therapeutic drugs are designed far faster and at a fraction of the cost they are today, enabled by the rapidly developing field of quantum computing.