When it comes to a quantum computer, most people think of it as the next version of the computers we have now. This is not the case. Quantum computer is a completely new type of computer that hardly has anything common with the traditional computers we have today. Quantum Physics describes the behavior of fundamental particles and a quantum computer operates by controlling that behavior. Traditional computers process data as binary bits where a bit can either be a 0 or a 1. Whereas, Quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits that can exist in both 0 and 1 states at once. A bit in a traditional computer can only reflect either 0 or 1 at a given time whereas a qubit can lie anywhere from 0 and 1. This simultaneous state of 0 and 1 of a qubit is called quantum superposition. Due to this quantum nature, a quantum computer can perform multiple computations simultaneously. This makes quantum computers exponentially faster than traditional computers.
Development of Quantum Computers
Quantum computers are not just circuits; they contain superconductors that exhibit quantum properties only at specific environmental conditions. Achieving and maintaining those environmental conditions is very difficult as the slightest disturbance of an external factor can affect it. Big tech companies and educational institutions are trying to develop quantum computers. IBM and Google are following the quantum dot method to build a quantum computer. And recently Google achieved Quantum Supremacy which will pave the way for a working quantum computer in the near future.
How Quantum Computing Can Revolutionize Medical Research?
Traditional computers and quantum computers have different use cases. Traditional computers are good with finite computation whereas quantum computers are ideal for uncertainty. So technically, quantum computing harness superposition and uncertainty properties of Quantum Physics which can revolution various sectors in a way we never thought before.
Quantum computing can revolutionize the medical sector on chemical and biological levels. Since all the fundamental particle exhibits quantum behavior, it is hard to create a precise structure of molecules. The quantum nature makes it very difficult to describe and calculate the quantum properties of all the atoms in a molecule. But, a quantum computer operates on quantum properties which could make it possible to precisely describe the structure of chemical compounds. So, future quantum simulations could revolutionize drug development and might help with the treatment of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Similarly, quantum computers could also be used to create a precise model of the fundamentals of the human body, DNA and cells. This can open new opportunities for medical research and might lead to treatments of many deadly diseases. It could also be helpful to describe and understand mental conditions like Autism. Also, quantum computation could help us recommend medication for depression, diabetes, cancer, and other conditions by analyzing decades of healthcare and clinical data.
So, quantum computing has the potential to lead to great medical discoveries that can impact millions of lives. All this is possible with quantum superposition and uncertainty. And there are a whole lot of possibilities with Quantum Entanglement as well. Let’s see how the quantum future unfolds for us.
