Quantum partnership: Alberta universities collaborate on study of nature’s smallest objects | 24CA News

Three Alberta universities are pooling their assets to analyze the basics of quantum science, with a concentrate on driving innovation many years from now.

“It’s vital right now,” mentioned Rob Thompson, vice-president of analysis for Quantum Horizons Alberta.

“Because if we don’t continue to push that end of our understanding of quantum [fundamentals], then 20 or 30 years from now, we’ll run out of ideas.”

Quantum physics, found within the early 1900s, is the examine of the tiniest doable particles within the universe and permits for a deeper understanding of nature.

Quantum-powered tech is all over the place, from cellphones to house safety programs to automobiles.

Foundational science

The present quantum trade, which incorporates semiconductors and medical imaging, depends on discoveries from three many years in the past, mentioned Thompson.

Scientists from the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge have acquired $25 million in personal funding to reply a number of questions concerning the quantum world, which operates in another way than the standard understanding of physics.

“We’ve taken a step back and are looking at the foundational science on which some of today’s technologies are built,” mentioned Andre McDonald, a mechanical engineering professor on the University of Alberta.

Dena McMartin from the University of Lethbridge mentioned the analysis will return to the fundamentals of physics and arithmetic to know how the Earth works as a fancy system and the way it interacts with the photo voltaic system.

It will even take a look at how time strikes.

“We’re fascinated by the idea that time can be more circular,” she mentioned.

McMartin mentioned many First Nations communities in Canada understand time as round, somewhat than linear, in a approach that aligns intently with quantum science.

She mentioned the Lethbridge node is engaged on bringing Indigenous quantum scientists to discover the ideas of time and gravity.

“It’s hard to wrap our head around just how deep the questions are and how important they are.”

The University of Lethbridge has already been engaged on quantum gravity, quantum sensing and quantum computing, mentioned McMartin.

“We’re looking at ways gravity interacts with Earth and other planets, and how Earth interacts with the solar system,” she mentioned.

Her workforce will even analysis how applied sciences are constructed to work on Earth and in area.

Exploring unanswered questions

Quantum Horizons Alberta goals to rent a minimum of seven quantum researchers over the subsequent yr, whereas additionally funding post-doctoral students and graduate college students of their analysis.

Thompson mentioned the particular areas of focus for the University of Calgary are nonetheless being labored out, in co-ordination with the 2 different nodes in Edmonton and Lethbridge.

“There are ranges of unanswered questions,” he mentioned.

One such query, mentioned Thompson, is how two subatomic particles huge distances aside will be linked and alter each other.

“That actually fundamentally violates relativity, another branch of physics, which says information can’t travel instantaneously,” he mentioned.

“There are many, many questions at a foundational level still to be answered about quantum and every time we answer one of those questions, it opens up a whole new world for us to explore.”

This story was produced with the monetary help of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship, which isn’t concerned within the editorial course of