Quantum computing may be one of the biggest opportunities of 2022.
All after a team of Australian researchers proved that near error-free quantum computing is in fact possible, which could help the world solve extremely complex problems in mere seconds.
“Today’s publication shows our operations were 99 percent error-free,” says Professor Andrea Morello from the University of New South Wales-Sydney, in a press release. “When the errors are so rare, it becomes possible to detect them and correct them when they occur. This shows that it is possible to build quantum computers that have enough scale, and enough power, to handle meaningful computation.”
Better, a team in the Netherlands also reached the 99% accuracy threshold using qubits. Even a team in Japan broke the 99% threshold barrier.
What makes quantum computing different from a traditional laptop or smartphone is how it processes data. Quantum computers used the properties of quantum physics to store data, and perform functions with “qubits.” Meanwhile, traditional computers are using “bits.”
That being the case, a quantum computer could solve a complex problem in seconds. Meanwhile, it would take a traditional computer months or even years to solve the same issue.
In short, quantum computing may be able to help change the world as we know it.
Plus, according to IBM, Quantum computers have the potential to transform industry value chains, particularly in the areas of chemistry, biology, healthcare, materials science, finance and artificial intelligence (AI).”
Even more impressive, according to Quantum Computing, “20% of organizations will budget for quantum computing projects by 2023, up from <1% today.”
We’re talking about a potentially massive market here.
It could strengthen drug development.
Quantum computers could help speed up drug discovery and development.
According to Forbes, “With their extremely high processing power, these machines will be able to simultaneously review multiple molecules, proteins and chemicals through quantum simulation — something currently unachievable with a standard computer — allowing drug options to be developed faster and more effectively than today.”
It may even be able to help develop quicker treatments for cancer, COVID, the common cold, even Alzheimer’s. It could even help reduce the need for human and animal testing.
It could be beneficial for finance.
Quantum computers could help banks increase trade, transaction, and data speed.
Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan have been experimenting with it, for example.
According to eFinancial Careers, “Goldman sees three broad use cases for quantum computing in finance: simulation (eg. for the statistical simulations of stochastic processes used in derivative pricing); optimization (eg. portfolio optimization in the context of regulatory and tax constraints); and machine learning, which remains a ‘nascent’ field in finance.”
It may even be able to help with climate change, accelerating the discovery of CO2 catalysts.
The potential benefits may be endless.
So, how can we invest in a world with quantum computers? Here are five ways.
Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM)
One of the best ways to diversify your portfolio at less cost is with an ETF, like the Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM). At $50 a share, with an expense ratio of 0.40%, the ETF provides exposure to companies on the forefront of cloud computing, quantum computing, machine learning, and other transformative computing technologies.
Some of its top holdings include Wipro Ltd., Accenture PLC, IBM, Micron Technology, Nokia Corp., and ON Semiconductor Corp. If you were to buy each of these stocks individually, it would cost far more than the $50 price tag on the ETF.
The ETF has also been in a powerful uptrend between early 2020 and January 2022. In fact, since 2020, it ran from a low of about $20 a share to more than $50.
IonQ Inc. (IONQ)
IonQ, Inc. is a leader in quantum computing, with a proven track record of innovation and deployment. IonQ’s next-generation quantum computer is the world’s most powerful trapped-ion quantum computer, and IonQ has defined what it believes is the best path forward to scale. In addition, IonQ is the only company with its quantum systems available through the cloud on Amazon Braket, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
The company is also working with Hyundai Motor to develop new variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) algorithms to study lithium compounds and their chemical reactions involved in battery chemistry, according to a recent press release.
“IonQ and Hyundai are laying the foundation to create better quality batteries by more precisely simulating and controlling their chemical reactions. This research has the potential to lead to new types of source material that save time, cost and effort in the years to come — a critical advancement as batteries are typically the most expensive component of an electric vehicle (EV),” they added.
Supernova Partners Acquisition II Co. Ltd. (SNII)
Rigetti & Co. Inc., a global leader in full-stack quantum computing, is going public through a merger with Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II. Once the transaction closes, the stock will be listed on the NYSE under the ticker “RGTI.”
“We believe the time for quantum computing has arrived,” said Chad Rigetti, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rigetti. “Customer demand is increasing as Rigetti quantum computers begin to address high-impact computational problems.
“Consistent with our mission to build the world’s most powerful computers to help solve humanity’s most important and pressing problems, Rigetti achieved many critical milestones in 2021. We introduced the 80-qubit Aspen-M system, the world’s first multi-chip quantum processor, expanded our customer and partner footprint, and delivered substantial year-over-year revenue growth,” continued Rigetti.
Nvidia Corp. (NVDA)
Even NVIDIA is jumping on the potential quantum computing boom.
The company provides the processing power that can drive it. So far, NVIDIA has partnered with Google Quantum AI, IBM, and other companies to help accelerate their quantum computing programs. NVIDIA also announced its GTC 2021, a cuQuantum software development system that may be able to help speed up simulations of quantum computers.
In early 2021, “Nvidia officially dipped a toe into quantum computing with the launch of cuQuantum SDK, a development platform for simulating quantum circuits on GPU-accelerated systems. As Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emphasized in his keynote, Nvidia doesn’t plan to build quantum computers, but thinks GPU-accelerated platforms are the best systems for quantum circuit and algorithm development and testing,” as noted by HPC Wire.