WASHINGTON: Microsoft has launched a new computer chip called Majorana 1, which could bring big changes to fields like environmental protection and drug development. Made in the U.S., this chip aims to solve a major problem in quantum computing by making it more reliable for practical use.
Though compact enough to fit in the palm of a hand, Majorana 1 boasts a groundbreaking design that sets it apart from existing quantum technologies. "We took a fresh approach and essentially reinvented how quantum computers could work," said Chetan Nayak, a senior scientist at Microsoft. The company’s findings, published Wednesday in the scientific journal Nature, confirm the breakthrough.
Unlike conventional computers that process information in binary (1s and 0s), quantum computers use qubits, which leverage the unique properties of atomic particles to solve complex problems exponentially faster than today’s most powerful supercomputers.
Microsoft says its new method could make quantum computers more stable and easier to grow than those made by Google and IBM. While more work is still needed, the company believes this progress could make quantum computing useful much sooner—within years instead of decades.
If successful, Microsoft’s technology could pave the way for quantum computers capable of tackling global challenges, such as breaking down microplastics in oceans or creating self-repairing materials.
Quantum research has become a key focus for global superpowers, with both the United States and China making significant investments in the field. The U.S. Department of Defense has recognized Microsoft’s potential, selecting the company as one of two finalists in its quantum computing program.