Science

It only measures seven atoms, but according to project lead scientist Michelle Simmons, computers made with this transistor – the smallest ever made – will “solve problems that would take longer than the life of the universe with a classical computer”.

Simmons says that the silicone crystal-embedded transistor is the first that put us in a solid path towards true quantum computers, which she predicts will be available for deployment in commercial applications in just five years.

Developed by the University of New South Wales’ Centre for Quantum Computer Technology (CQCT) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the atomic part is “the first electronic device in a silicon systematically created on the scale of individual atoms”. This means two things: One, it has the potential to reduce Moore’s Law to smithereens. The other one: It will eventually reduce current CPUs by a factor of one hundred while accelerating processing speed beyond our wildest dreams. [Atomic Fabrication Facility via Telegraphc]