Kevin

I am the writer, editor and publisher behind this future technology blog and I predict you will keep reading to see what is coming right around that metaphorical corner.

Natural Programming Language for Quantum Computers

Future Computers Comments Off

Jul 122020

Natural Programming Language

For years, discussions and proclamations about the vast potential of quantum computing has been commonplace in the industry. However, many obstacles have limited progress in what is a very ambitious and exciting industry. This looks set to change, though, as major technological advancements are taking place in a short period of time. One breakthrough that has been made in quantum computing, though, has been the first quantum language of its kind that is as easy to work with and utilise as any standard computing language.

Programming quantum computing then is about to become a much easier prospect than it was. A science team at ETH Zurich have come up with a simple (comparatively) programming language that could be used to program quantum computers with the same ease and reliability as a standard computer. The project has been a long-term part of the Secure, Reliable and Intelligent Systems Lab (SRI) at ETH Zurich.

Under the tutelage of Martin Vechev, the project has made progress, with Vechev saying: “Programming quantum computers is still a challenge for researchers, which is why I’m so excited that we can now continue ETH Zurich’s tradition in the development of quantum computers and programming languages.”

Speaking about the latest development further, Vechev added: “Our quantum programming language Silq allows programmers to utilize the potential of quantum computers better than with existing languages, because the code is more compact, faster, more intuitive and easier to understand for programmers.”

The language, known as Silq as noted above, will be showcased to experts at the PLDI 2020 conference for programming languages. They have already made the decision to release Silq as part of its own website, meaning that access is already theoretically possible for those willing to tinker and test.

The mass potential of what quantum computing could do for the whole industry has never been in dispute. What is disputed, though, is just how likely it was to come up with a language that would make progress possible. It was simply seen as being too confusing and intense to come up with a language that would make quantum programming as easy and as effective as classical programming.

Now, that has all changed.

This will allow quantum computing to be used to help solve problems that would be a long-term issue for a classical computer, using the power of quantum computing to turn challenging tasks into a simple issue. The high risk of errors at the moment with quantum computing has meant that finding a language that both computer and coder could understand has been essential, and it looks like the masterminds over at Zurich might have found the solution to a complex roadblock in the path to making quantum computing a reality.

Citation

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200615115820.htm

Space Rovers to Paddle Out of Sandtraps

Future Space Technology Comments Off

Jun 042020

Rover Prototype

For years, watching various moon rover type vehicles go into space and never come back has felt quite sad. The work, the hardship and the craftmanship that goes into their creation is very satisfying indeed. However, one of the main reasons that many items we send out into space only are able to return their data stems from one factor – terrain. Well, the new Mars rover from NASA looks like it might be about to change all of that entirely.

This comes from the fact that the latest rovers aimed at looking over Mars will come with some kind of sand trap protection system. The old Spirit Mars rover that was sent out in 2009 ended up freezing on Mars as it got stuck in a sand trap. The wheels were unable to get out of the sand, leaving it more or less unsaveable. Now, though, new editions of the rover are going to have a solid solution to avoid that problem.

Prototypes for such a reason have been underway for some time, with the Johnson Space Center in Houston building an impressive prototype that was able to sweep its wheels, crawling as opposed to rolling. Further work has gone into such a development since, with the end result being the latest innovations which are being further forward.

One similar new development is by that of Siddharth Shrivastava, who managed to create a high-quality miniature version of the RP15 model, utilizing 12 motors to help manage its quadrant of wheels. However, this was designed to be able to ‘paddle’ out of tight spot and to safety as and when needed.

NASA Rover

This is a big reason why today so many people are happy to invest their time and their effort into things like the space rover program. It offers exciting opportunities to help us slowly but surely overcome the limits that could stop us from achieving even more discovery in space.

The hope is that in time we’ll be able to see such hardware put to good use, offering simple yet effective solutions for getting vehicles out of a tight spot in the future. By having a combination of wheeling, paddling, and even lifting, future rovers should have no problem at all with overcoming the issues they face.

The aim, then, is simple: to make sure that in future we don’t have to worry about something as simple as sand curtailing a multi-million-dollar mission.

Citation

https://www.space.com/paddling-mars-moon-rovers-sand-traps.html

3D Printing for Coronavirus Equipment

3D Printing Comments Off

May 032020

3D printed coronavirus swabs

If you spend any time at all reading the news at the moment, you’ll know that protective equipment is in short supply. Those on the front lines combatting the COVID-19 out break are often doing so with minimal protection and next to no realistic support. This is a big problem, and naturally is causing a lot of stress on the front line. However, it looks like we could be seeing a solution – thanks in large part to the usage of 3D printing devices.

Once derided as a toy that would only be used for needless gimmicks, 3D printers are showing their uses outside of creating figurines and novelty items. By ensuring that there can be enough access to needed medical equipment, 3D-printed supplies would help to solve both a limit in supply and an excess in demand. Various firms, from small companies and single entrepreneurs to multinational firms, are pushing hard to get 3D printers involved. The hope is that they can help to develop the needed number of face visors, masks, swabs, and ventilator parts that we need to make COVID-19 manageable.

Of course, this is something that comes down to the willingness of people to get involved. The development of the items and supplies needed to successfully defeat COVID-19 is going to come down to how effectively people are willing to work to solve the issue at hand. the important thing is that we can react quickly, and that we can turn the manufacturing process from weeks to days. This is what 3D printing is helping to solve at the moment – an underwhelming level of supply paired with a poor level of ability to meet demand.

Indeed, HP alone has been involved in the production of some 50,0000 products. This includes everything from facial shields to protective masks and even door handles that can be opened without using your hands. The aim is to try and make sure that 3D printed tools can help to limit the shortfall and ensure that people can have the chance to stay protected as they go about their daily duties.

However, the problem is that 3D printing devices aren’t going to be as strong as those which are made with a clinical process in mind. This means that limitations in safety and their efficacy in a medical set-up means that 3D printed supplies are, at present, a solid last resort. The hope that we could soon see mass 3D printing solve the problem might need to wait a while, as the FDA has made it clear that only a fraction of submitted 3D printed device applications meet standards.

Still, it’s another fine example of when innovation has stepped up to the plate to overcome the challenges involved in meeting 3D printing deman d.

Citation

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/16/tech/coronavirus-medical-equipment-3d-printing/index.html

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