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Researchers In Abu Dhabi To Receive The Middle East’s First Quantum Computer

A quantum computer doesn’t rely on traditional bits. Instead, it encodes information using qubits, which can have the value of “0” and “1” at the same time.

Published

3 years ago

August 26, 2021

Joanna Melki

researchers in abu dhabi to receive the middle east's first quantum computer

IBM

If there’s one emerging technology capable of single-handedly ushering in a new era of information technology, it’s quantum computing. Soon, researchers working at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi will get their hands on the Middle East’s first quantum computer, allowing them to solve incredibly complex problems by harnessing the phenomena of quantum mechanics.

“This will put the UAE on the map to be a known entity for research on such a topic. And that’s a big achievement for the entire Arab world,” said Boulos Alfakes, a senior researcher at the TII. “There will be a dramatic difference between the countries that own the technology and the ones that depend on the technology, believes Professor Jose Ignacio Latorre, chief of research at the TII’s Quantum Research Center.

One of the biggest challenges associated with quantum computing is cooling. The small quantum microchip at the heart of the computer is designed to operate at very low temperatures (near absolute zero). If the microchip gets too hot, it becomes unstable, rendering the whole computer useless.

To address this issue, researchers ordered two dilution refrigerators from Finland. The refrigerators are complex and expensive, but less sophisticated cooling methods are not up to the task.

Also Read: Saudi Researchers Use Quantum Computing To Design More Efficient Airplanes

Just like all quantum computers, the one that will soon be in the hands of researchers at the TII doesn’t rely on traditional bits (combinations of zeros and ones). Instead, it encodes information using qubits (or quantum bits), which can have the value of “0” and “1” at the same time.

Thanks to this and other unusual properties, quantum computers can solve certain difficult problems much faster than traditional computers. For example, some cybersecurity experts fear that quantum computing could break traditional cryptography in the near future, potentially forcing millions of organizations around the world to implement quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms.

Related Topics:Abu Dhabi Quantum Computing United Arab Emirates

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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.

Published

5 days ago

December 17, 2024

Nour Nasir

uae prepares to launch two satellites thuraya-2 and mbz-sat

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.

The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.

خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024

Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.

Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.

Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.

Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth

The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.

The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.