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may not show up in consumer products in the near future — however, quantum computing researchers say it represents a significant breakthrough in the field. That's because the chip solves a challenge that's existed in quantum computing for nearly 30 years, Google said in its announcement earlier this week. The challenge is reducing the amount of errors quantum computers generate while operating. Quantum computers aren't your standard laptop or desktop computer. Unlike your laptop, which uses bits to process information, quantum computers use something called qubits, short for quantum bits. Bits are binary digits, meaning they can only exist in one state at a time, typically as a 0 or 1. Qubits, on the other hand, can exist in multiple states simultaneously. That's important because it means you can process significantly more information at much faster speeds with qubits. That's the ultimate promise of quantum computers: They can process so much data in such short periods that they'll revolutionize science and medicine, helping us solve problems related to climate change and health, for example, that are far too complex to tackle with today's technology. However, right now, the best quantum computers can perform around a thousand operations before errors overwhelm the processing system, Steve Brierley, quantum computing researcher and CEO of error correction company Riverlane, told Business Insider. "If we want to get to this big potential like transformational technology, we need to get to millions and trillions of free operations," Brierley said. That's where Google's Willow chip has made a significant breakthrough. With the Willow chip, the more qubits Google adds, the fewer errors the system creates. The Willow chip reduces errors exponentially, the company said. The ability to reduce errors while scaling qubits is known in the field as being "below threshold," and it's been an unresolved challenge since 1995. This plays out via processing speed. Google said its researchers used the Random Circuit Sampling benchmark to compare computing speeds across various technologies. The RCS is a standard in the field and the "classically hardest" benchmark to pass, to compare computing speeds across various technologies. Google said its Willow chip can perform the standard benchmark computation in under five minutes, which would take one of the fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years to complete — longer than the known age of the universe. In the field of quantum, error correction is much more difficult and requires more hardware to function properly, which is why Google's advancement is so important, Mark Saffman, professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and director at the Wisconsin Quantum Institute, told BI. Brierley compared Google's quantum computing advancement to what mobile networks experienced when they shifted from 1G to 2G networks. When mobile networks shifted from 1G to 2G, "Qualcomm added error correction into the stack and this created a huge uplift in capability," Brierley said. "And this is exactly what's happening right now in quantum computing." The ability to constantly correct errors is a "key part" of building a quantum computer, he said. Once companies are able to scale qubits and advance quantum computing forward, they will be able to reach the point of real-world applications. Google said in a press briefing about the development that it has already partnered with companies in the pharmaceutical, material science, and battery space, among others. However, advancements in those fields may not be right around the corner. Saffman said he would like to see s in five years, but it's difficult to provide an exact number. Sebastian Weidt, quantum computer professor at the University of Sussex and co-founder and CEO of quantum computing company Universal Quantum, told BI that "we're still a little while away" from quantum computing impacting the general public. Weidt said that while there was initially hope that intermediate-scale computers could offer some value to a general consumer, the science shows that qubits need to be scaled by hundreds of thousands and eventually millions to unlock real-world applications. "There are many major roadblocks on their roadmap that need to be overcome for that technology to get to that scale," Weidt said. Still, Google's advancement moves quantum computing research to the next stage — and while investors may not be able to reap the benefits in the immediate short term, Brierley said announcements like this help attract capital and talent to the space. "There's still very very far to go to make it useful relative to conventional computers," Saffman said. "But it's a great step forward." Read the original article on
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A big battery will plug into the solar corridor to the south of Canberra, with the profits to go to the taxpayer in a revenue-sharing first. Located next to existing powerlines and solar farms, construction has begun on Eku Energy's $400 million project that will bring 200 jobs for local tradies. The 250 megawatt/500 MW hour Williamsdale battery energy storage system located 35km south of Canberra will store enough renewable energy to power one-third of the capital for two hours during peak demand periods when it comes online in 2026. A critical energy asset for greater energy security and a bulwark against future price spikes, it is also a crucial step in the fight against climate change, according to ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. Importantly, a revenue-sharing deal means profits from the project will flow to the ACT and pay for more clean energy and other services for a growing population, he said in Williamsdale. "That is an important principle for our community, who want to see investment in renewable energy and battery storage not only supporting the effectiveness and reliability of our energy network but generating revenue." Recently re-elected and already the nation's longest-serving political leader, Mr Barr says the revenue-sharing model could be extended nationally as a good template for government procurement. Working with Evoenergy, Tesla Energy and the Australian Energy Market Operator, the Williamsdale battery will also be part of the NSW energy market and the broader east coast energy market. "The electrons flow in real time so what we would be replacing is the next most expensive form of generation when we dispatch," Eku Energy chief executive Daniel Burrows told AAP. It will provide additional supply when the market is tight, which should help lower wholesale prices and support making more clean energy available when it is required, he said. The battery will also provide more grid security by responding within milliseconds to demand and storing energy when it is abundant. "What we have in Australia is a prevalence of distributed energy - rooftop solar, large-scale wind and batteries - and a reasonably sophisticated grid," Mr Burrows said. "As we're doing business all around the world, other businesses, other governments, other industry players are looking to what happens here as to how we might manage the energy transition." Not a player in a nuclear energy future, he says Eku Energy focuses on projects that are "genuinely the most cost-effective and will stand the test of time". A $500 million community grants program set up by the company will be available to eligible local non-profit organisations for employment and education, social and environment initiatives. Another $500,000 will go to an Australian National University program that has been a testing ground for neighbourhood batteries and other technology. "Research funding in this area helps ensure we remain at the forefront of advancing technology for a clean energy future," Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program co-director Heather Logie says. Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water Suzanne Orr donned high-vis gear to shovel dirt alongside Mr Barr in her first public engagement in her new portfolio. Simon Corbell, the architect of the ACT's clean energy transition as a Labor minister more than a decade ago, is one of her heroes, she told AAP. "Everyone has a different journey in coming to politics and mine has definitely been flavoured by the environmental movement," she said. Ms Orr, first elected in 2016, replaced former energy and emissions reduction minister Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury in the new government that has taken power without the ACT Greens as a partner. Canberra has already achieved a nation-leading 100 per cent renewable electricity supply and the ACT is aiming for net-zero emissions by 2045. The territory is phasing out household gas, with support for households to buy new appliances, electric vehicles, solar panels and batteries. But Ms Orr said the next stage of the transition will be more than "care and maintenance" of what has already been achieved. "I don't think anyone wants to rest on their laurels," she said. The Big Canberra Battery project that Mr Barr began as climate action minister will include the large-scale system in Williamsdale and neighbourhood-scale batteries at nine government sites.UCF coach Gus Malzahn reportedly resigning to take Florida State OC job
FBI director says he intends to resign at end of Joe Biden’s term“I just look at it as a sign of respect that I’ve gained from other defensive coordinators and just continue to do my job with it as blocking or being a decoy,” the two-time Pro Bowler said. While opposing defenses have keyed in on Metcalf, other aspects of Seattle's offense have surfaced during its four-game winning streak. The run has the Seahawks (8-5) sitting atop the NFC West heading into Sunday night's game against the visiting Green Bay Packers (9-4). Geno Smith's new top target is second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who needs 89 receiving yards for his first career 1,000-yard season. Smith-Njigba has 75 catches for 911 yards and five touchdowns, while Metcalf, often dealing with double coverage, has 54 catches for 812 yards and two scores. Metcalf says he feels the pride of a “proud parent or a big brother” when it comes to Smith-Njigba's success. Seattle's offense also got a boost from the ground game in a 30-18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last weekend . Zach Charbonnet, filling in for the injured Kenneth Walker III, ran for a career-best 134 yards and two touchdowns. The Seahawks face another hot team in the Packers (9-4), who have won seven of nine. Green Bay's two losses over that stretch have come against NFC-best Detroit (12-1), including a 34-31 victory by the Lions on Dec. 5, which means the NFC North title is likely out of reach for the Packers. The Packers are well-positioned for a playoff berth, but that almost certainly won't come this weekend. They would need a win, a loss or tie by the Atlanta Falcons and a tie between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Metcalf, who learned to block from his father, former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Terrence Metcalf, says he tries to take blocking seriously to set himself apart from other receivers. His priorities are simple when he's getting double-teamed and the ball goes elsewhere. “Trying to block my (butt) off and trying to get pancakes on defensive backs,” he said. When the Packers surged their way into the playoffs last season, quarterback Jordan Love was a major reason why. He had 18 touchdown passes and one interception during Green Bay's final eight games. During the last four games of this season, Love ranks third in the NFL with a 118.9 passer rating with six touchdowns, one interception and a league-best 10.3 yards per attempt. “I always feel like I can put the ball where I want to — and that’s part of it, too, having that confidence to be able to throw those passes,” Love said. “There’s always like I said a handful of plays that might not come off or be in the exact spot that you wanted it to or the throw might be a little bit off. So, that’s where you’ve just got to try to be at your best every play, be consistent and accurate as possible.” Green Bay’s pass defense has been picked apart the last two weeks. First, it was torched by Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins in a Packers win. Next, it allowed Jared Goff to complete his final 13 passes as the Lions rallied to victory. It won’t get any easier this week. Smith is second in the NFL in attempts, completions and passing yards and is fifth in completion percentage. “It’s been a remarkable turnaround for him in terms of just where he started,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “It’s not always where you start, but where you finish. And it tells me a lot about the person in terms of his resiliency and ability to fight through some adversity. He’s a dangerous quarterback.” The potential return of former All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) could help the Packers. Will the Packers break out their head-to-toe white uniforms? The last time Green Bay wore the winter white look was in a 24-22 win over Houston in October. The Packers asked fans to weigh in on social media . As for the Seahawks, they'll be sporting their “Action Green” uniforms. Metcalf is a fan. “I would say this about the Action Green, I love them personally in my opinion, but the big guys hate them. I don’t know why, don’t ask me," he said. “Hopefully, the Packers wear all white, so it’ll be a fun-looking game.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
