Taiwan participates in quantum computing race and establishes national R & D team


Taiwan recently announced a national team specializing in quantum computing research and development, leveraging the island’s advanced semiconductor industry.

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), the National Research Institute of the Central Research Institute, and the Ministry of Economy (MOEA) announced on March 16 an initiative involving 17 research groups, Taiwan’s state-run Central Communications Company reported. ((((CNA).

Epoch Times Photo
The Taiwan Quantum Computing Research Team was established on March 16, 2022. (Ministry of Technology)

The team consists of 72 experts and 24 companies, including TSMC and Foxconn experts, who study quantum elements, computers and communication systems.

While feasible applications are still believed to be decades away, technology can theoretically push the physical limits of traditional computers when successfully created.

MOEA has announced plans to invest more than $ 11 million over the next four years, while MOST has promised $ 8 million over the next five years. Government funding aims to start the development of Taiwan’s own quantum computer.

Felix, the convenor of the panel to advance the development of quantum systems, said that more private companies are expected to participate in R & D efforts and that funding will increase significantly depending on progress. Gwo told the Epoch Times.

He added that funding would not be limited to government funding.

According to Taiwan’s DigiTimes, TSMC, the world’s largest chip maker, has begun poaching its talents in quantum computing research by offering three times its original salary before 2020.

According to CNA, Chiou Chyou-huey, Head of Industrial Technology at MOEA, said quantum technology is expected to create huge business opportunities worldwide. Quantum computing requires miniaturization technology, which is the strength of TSMC’s silicon chips.

Academia Sinica President James Liao said the institute’s research staff have spent 10 years researching quantum computing technology and quantum materials.

Academia Sinica has already been able to construct a superconducting qubit, which is the basic unit of quantum information. The Taipei-based National Academy already has the technology to control the state of qubits as well as generate and read them.

Ryo added that the powerful computing power of quantum computers is expected to bring breakthroughs to the pharmaceutical industry. When applied to drug discovery, new drugs can be modeled and tested through molecular simulations.

MOST Minister Wu Masatada added that quantum technology will have a significant impact on cybersecurity, the financial sector, and the defense industry.

Xiangchun RayEpoch Times, a prominent professor of physics at National Taiwan University (NTU) and director of the NTU-IBM Quantum Computer Hub, said MOST and Academia Sinica’s strategy narrowed the scope and focused on specific components of quantum technology. Said to guess. The focus of their development is not only on software applications, but also on optical and superconducting hardware.

Global Quantum Computing Race

Taiwan’s move follows steps taken elsewhere where researchers from different countries are advancing the development of quantum technology.

On March 22, a team of Israeli researchers announced the country’s first quantum computer. This is a great achievement that has been created over the years. Times of Israel.. According to experts, this breakthrough is seen as highly beneficial to industries such as cybersecurity, materials and pharmaceuticals, banking and finance, and advanced manufacturing.

Last year, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the UK would build a general-purpose quantum computer and set a goal of securing 50% of the global quantum computing market by 2040. report..

In 2018, Japan will beBreakthroughIncorporate into national policy and participate in the competition for quantum computing.

Similarly, in the same year, the US House of Representatives and the Senate said, “The National Quantum Initiative Act (pdf) ”, A program to accelerate quantum research and development for its economic and national security.

Similarly, in 2018 the EU Parliament hold Conference and plans in Vienna on quantum technology, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity[catch] Towards the future. “

IBM in the US private sector Introduced Roadmap for quantum technology. By the end of 2023, we are developing a scalable, larger and better suite of processors with over 1,000 qubit devices called the IBM Quantum Condor.

A qubit or qubit is the basic unit of quantum information. The higher the qubit rating, the more sophisticated the processor is required.

Like many developed countries, China has included quantum computing research and development in its national policy. The Chinese Communist Party’s 13th Five-Year Plan, introduced in 2016, also emphasized the need to strengthen quantum research with the aim of becoming a leader in this field by 2030. It reportedly invested $ 11 billion in the construction of the National Quantum Institute.

Joyce Liang and Kane Zhang contributed to this report.

Raven Woo

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