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Qubits and Pieces

News from the frontline of the weird and wonderful world of quantum computing.

Lucy Sherriff

Lucy Sherriff is a journalist, science geek and general liker of all things techie and clever. In a previous life she put her physics degree to moderately good use by writing about science for that other tech website, The Register. After a bit of a break, it seemed like a good time to start blogging about weird quantum stuff for ZDNET. And so here we are.

Latest Posts

Graphene switches to new role as anti-corrosion coating

With applications ranging from electronics to ships, the discovery that a graphene coating protects against corrosion gives the wonder material another string to its bow.

September 28, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

Scientists read and write data using silicon qubit

The Australian-led breakthrough, using a single phosphorus atom embedded in a silicon chip, is a big step forward toward creating a quantum computer.

September 24, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

Researchers model graphene for use in the real world

Work by scientists in the US on linking graphene to metal connectors paves the way for realistic electronic designs.

September 21, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

Researchers find way to grow nanowires on graphene

Norwegian scientists move to commercialise breakthrough that uses a molecular beam device to create gallium arsenide nanowires on a graphene substrate.

September 12, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

Quantum teleportation over 143km smashes distance record

International researchers say their work paves the way for global quantum communications. Next up: the quantum internet?

September 7, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

Nokia dials into graphene in photo-sensor patent move

Science meets almost-technology in Nokia's patent application for graphene tech with the potential for much smaller and lighter sensors than those used in most digital cameras.

September 5, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

Graphene's computer role gets lift from hybrid material

The prospect of faster computers may have taken a step closer as US researchers create a patchwork graphene-boron-nitride hybrid to address graphene's band-gap shortcomings.

August 30, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

Quantum processor's prime feat raises security issues

California researchers report a breakthrough with the creation of a solid-state quantum processor that could ultimately have a bearing on future cryptographic techniques.

August 28, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

Graphene-like material paves way for faster chips

MIT scientists create electronic components on material that answers graphene's main shortcoming.

August 24, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

CERN trains Large Hadron Collider on primordial plasma

The ALICE team is using the charmed quark as a probe to investigate the quark-gluon plasma that existed in the earliest days of the universe.

August 14, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

First truly quantum router demoed by Chinese researchers

But their router is a proof-of-principle device rather than something capable of forming the basis of a future quantum internet.

August 9, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

Silicon puts on a nickel coat to pass as graphene

Researchers' creation of a silicon-based field-effect transistor that mimics the electrical properties of graphene shows the battle for the future of electronics is still on.

August 1, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

Chip fab techniques help build living neural circuits

Lithographic printing techniques, familiar from the microprocessor industry, may lay the groundwork for spinal cord repair

July 25, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

Graphene gives renewable fuel research a boost

Is there anything Graphene can't do? The wonder material has added another string to its bow, as researchers have found it can aid artificial photosynthesis, which could help with the creation of renewable fuels

July 19, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation

The Higgs boson: Why should we care?

The scientific community is cock-a-hoop over CERN's discovery of a something that looks like the Higgs boson. But why? And what does it help us understand?

July 9, 2012 by Lucy Sherriff in Innovation