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Although quantum computing is a fast growing field, skill and expertise in this new area of technology is desperately needed, and leading Indian institutions along with IBM India have been working on a programme to skill India.

Quantum computing has found application across medicine, agriculture, and finance. The government of India launched the National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NMQTA) stressing the importance of pushing forward the quantum domain in India. IBM India recently collaborated with leading institutions of India to accelerate training and research in quantum computing. Gadgets 360 talked to L Venkata Subramaniam, Senior Manager, AI at IBM Research India, Professor Anil Shaji from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram, and Professor Anil Prabhakar of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras to understand what quantum computing is all about.

Is quantum computing a once in an era sort of change?

The power of quantum computing comes from two basic phenomena of quantum mechanics – superposition and quantum entanglement. While the bits in a classical computer exist as a string of zeros and ones, a quantum bit or a qubit can stay in a state of a combination of zero and one – this is called superposition. Entanglement, the other phenomena that powers quantum computing, is a connection between qubits. “The qubits needn’t be close to each other. One qubit can be in Delhi and the other can be in the other end of the universe. But if they are entangled, then by looking at the state of one of the qubit, you’ll be able to predict the state of the other qubit,” explained Subramaniam. By exploiting these two phenomena, quantum computing can be put into use in a wide range of activities ranging from speeding up the discovery of drugs and fertilizers to solving complex optimisation problems.

The government in its budget last year had announced NMQTA under the Ministry of Science and Technology with a total budget outlay of Rs. 8000 crore for the advancement of quantum technology. IBM’s collaboration with the leading educational institutions in India is aligned with this step by the government. Through IBM’s Quantum Educator Programme, the company will join hands with the faculty and students of Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER) – Pune, IISER – Thiruvananthapuram, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Jodhpur, IIT – Kanpur, IIT – Kharagpur, IIT – Madras, Indian Statistical Institute Kolkata, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Mumbai, and the University of Calcutta to further research and education in quantum computing.

IBM introduced quantum computers over the cloud almost 5 years ago. The collaborating institutions will get priority access to IBM’s quantum systems, learning resources, and quantum tools over the cloud. Thus the students will get an opportunity to work on actual quantum computers and programme them using Qiskit, a python-based open-source framework developed by IBM.

Skilling India to lead the way?

A 2019 study published by Progressive Policy Institute pointed out that India will overtake the US as the world’s largest developer population centre by 2024. With a bit of training starting at the university level, the STEM students from India could adapt themselves to work and lead in the quantum computing arena with greater efficiency.

Talking about the current state of quantum technology courses in Indian institutions, Subramaniam said, “A lot of the courses are very theoretical in nature, there are no hands-on lab sessions. We are enabling the students and the faculty to get all the materials including the lab materials, the study material, and the start up code which will get them started”.

According to Professor Shaji of IISER Thiruvananthapuram, there is a bit of an issue in managing the expectations of students regarding quantum computing. “A lot of students are really interested in studying quantum computing now because of all the emphasis and also a bit of a hype surrounding quantum computing and quantum technologies,” Professor Shaji said. IISER

Thiruvananthapuram is also a part of the NMQTA. One of the researches that IISER is undertaking involves building a quantum computer using a different technology than that of IBM.

Professor Shaji said that the collaboration initiated by IBM will have a significant cascading effect in the term of five to ten years as the students are getting an early exposure to this up and coming technology. Talking about the student’s response he added, “There is quite a bit of news hype around this subject, so one goes in there expecting miracles to come out of it. It is important that the students understand that the technology is still in its baby steps. It is necessary to understand there are things that you can do and there are things that you would like to do but cannot do yet.”

IIT Madras has a Centre for Quantum Information, Communication, and Computing, where quantum computing is one among the three verticals in quantum research for the institution. Apart from the Quantum Educator’s Programme, IIT Madras has also joined hands with IBM for a course on quantum computing at the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), an online learning platform funded by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India which provides free courses on university-level STEM subjects. The quantum computing course on NPTEL which is set to start by late August has already received over 6,000 registrations, a clear indication of student-interest towards the subject.

Professor Prabhakar of IIT Madras said that the institution has priority access to a number of IBM’s quantum machines. “Our students are able to take a quantum computing lab where they are running problems on these machines. Many of the machines are also available to the public, but not with priority. We can also reserve some machines for use for our students. This enables the students to be more focused on what they are doing. Our goal is to be able to train at least 15 students each year at a higher level.”

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Is the Wheel of Ghosts an Ancient Observatory? New Study Suggests Otherwise

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January 6, 2025

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Is the Wheel of Ghosts an Ancient Observatory? New Study Suggests Otherwise

The ancient Rujm el-Hiri site, situated in the Golan Heights and often referred to as the “Wheel of Ghosts,” has been re-evaluated, with its long-standing identification as an astronomical observatory coming under scrutiny. Researchers have determined that geodynamic changes over millions of years have altered the site’s orientation, raising questions about its original purpose. These findings, derived from advanced geophysical and remote sensing techniques, provide a new perspective on this enigmatic archaeological structure.

Geophysical Insights Challenge Established Theories

According to the study published in Remote Sensing, geodynamic movements averaging 8–15 millimetres per year over 150 million years shifted the site’s alignment significantly. Researchers from Tel Aviv University and Ben-Gurion University, led by Dr Olga Khabarova and Prof Lev Eppelbaum, concluded that the structure’s current orientation does not match celestial patterns, contradicting earlier interpretations of its function. The entrances and radial walls, when reconstructed to their original positions, were shown to lack alignment with solstices, equinoxes, or other astronomical markers.

Advanced Techniques Reveal Archaeological Landscape

As reported by SciTech Daily, the researchers employed geomagnetic analysis and satellite technology to document the surrounding archaeological features within a 30-kilometre radius of the Sea of Galilee. Unique circular structures, some up to 90 metres in diameter, were identified alongside burial mounds and round enclosures. These findings suggest agricultural and herding purposes rather than purely ceremonial or observational roles.

A Broader Perspective on Rujm el-Hiri’s Role

Dr Michal Birkenfeld of Ben-Gurion University emphasised in his statement to SciTech Daily that this reassessment enriches understanding of ancient life in the Golan Heights. The research team noted that the study reopens debates about the site’s purpose while highlighting its integration into a broader archaeological landscape. By questioning past assumptions, the study encourages further exploration of how ancient communities interacted with their environment.

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Scientists Investigate Hypernuclei To Understand Subatomic Forces and Neutron Stars

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January 6, 2025

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Scientists Investigate Hypernuclei To Understand Subatomic Forces and Neutron Stars

A breakthrough has been reported in particle physics, focusing on hypernuclei—rare atomic systems that form through the inclusion of hyperons, particles containing at least one “strange” quark. Unlike the ordinary nuclei of atoms made of protons and neutrons, hypernuclei exhibit unique properties that may offer insights into subatomic forces and the extreme conditions present in neutron stars. Scientists aim to deepen the understanding of these fleeting structures and their implications for astrophysics and nuclear physics.

Insights from Advanced Research

According to a study published in The European Physical Journal A, researchers led by Ulf-G. Meißner from the Institute for Advanced Simulation in Jülich and the University of Bonn applied nuclear lattice effective field theory to investigate hypernuclei. This approach simplifies the study of nuclear interactions by focusing on protons, neutrons, and hyperons rather than quarks and gluons, providing a computationally feasible way to study these particles.

This study specifically examined Λ-hyperons, one of the lightest hyperons, and their interactions within hypernuclei. A lattice-based model was utilised, where particles are simulated within a discrete grid, reducing the complexity of the calculations. Forces governing the structure of hypernuclei were calculated, achieving agreement with experimental data within a 5 percent margin of accuracy. The method also allowed the study of hypernuclei with up to 16 constituents, expanding the scope of earlier models.

Implications for Neutron Stars

Hypernuclei are theorised to form in neutron stars due to the immense pressure and density in their cores. The measurable properties of neutron stars, such as mass and radius, could be influenced by the presence of hyperons. By using advanced X-ray telescopes and gravitational wave detectors, scientists hope to detect deviations from existing models, potentially confirming hyperons’ role in these environments.

Further research is required to refine models and explore pion exchanges, which may alter the forces within hypernuclei. Enhanced experimental data and precision in accelerator experiments are expected to contribute to this field in the future.

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Science

Mathematicians Uncover Science Behind Hula Hooping and Body Dynamics

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January 6, 2025

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Mathematicians Uncover Science Behind Hula Hooping and Body Dynamics

The mechanics of hula hooping have been analysed by researchers, uncovering how body shapes and motions influence the ability to keep a hoop spinning against gravity. Insights from the study have raised intriguing questions about body dynamics, energy efficiency, and potential engineering applications. The findings, based on experiments and mathematical modelling, offer new perspectives on an activity often overlooked in scientific research. Key revelations include the role of body curvature and slope in maintaining the hoop’s motion.

Study Details Dynamics of Hula Hooping

According to research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, experiments were conducted using miniature robotic models at New York University’s Applied Mathematics Laboratory. Different shapes, such as cylinders, cones, and hourglasses, were replicated at one-tenth human scale to examine their impact on hula hooping efficiency. Motorised motions were applied to these models, and high-speed cameras captured the behaviour of hoops launched onto the robotic forms.

Findings indicated that successful twirling could be achieved without significant variation based on body cross-section shapes, such as circles or ellipses. However, maintaining the hoop’s height against gravity required specific physical attributes, particularly sloping hips and a curvy waist. These characteristics provided the necessary angles for upward thrust and stability, helping to keep the hoop in motion.

Mathematical Modelling and Broader Applications

Senior researcher and associate professor Leif Ristroph explained in a press release that mathematical models were developed to explain the physical principles observed. These models offered insight into the interaction between body motion and hoop dynamics, which could be extended to applications such as energy harvesting and robotics.

The researchers highlighted that the work bridges a gap in the understanding of a popular activity, while also demonstrating its relevance to technology. Ristroph noted that these findings could lead to improvements in robotic systems used in manufacturing, as well as innovative ways to utilise energy generated by vibrations.

This research sheds light on the science behind hula hooping, offering practical applications while enhancing the understanding of human and mechanical motion.

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