The National Science Foundation said their beta website is a small step to prepare us for living “in a quantum future.”
The organization announced the site, which introduces people to big ideas in quantum science and quantum information science. It’s available here.
The organization says that the site is needed because the quantum era is dawning — and, although, it will take time, it’s necessary to understand the technology now.
“Sooner than we may once have imagined, new technologies will leverage quantum properties to create faster, more secure communications, powerful computers, sophisticated and compact sensors, and even new industrial materials. These developments, rooted in quantum discoveries, hold the potential to stimulate economic growth, strengthen national security, and improve the health and well-being of individuals around the world. But just how distant is this future, and what will it take to get there?”
The site includes a history of quantum and a brief overview of quantum technology.
Critical for the NSF — and for the United States, in general — is to have workers and scientists trained in quantum science.
The organization writes: “Making the quantum future a reality is a goal that researchers around the globe have long been working toward. Quantum is still an emerging area of science, and building technologies that harness its potential will require extensive, fundamental research to better understand the principles that drive it. The U.S. also needs a significantly larger, quantum-educated science and engineering workforce ready to develop, operate and maintain the quantum technologies of the future.”
This is just one project that’s part of a much larger NSF outreach efforts aimed at quantum. For example, the NSF is investing millions on research institute and quantum ediucation.
“In just the past month, NSF devoted $75 million to create new inter-disciplinary research institutes that address some of the most pressing topics in quantum information science and also invested $9.75M in awards to recruit quantum computing and information science faculty. Recently, NSF, with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, announced the National Q-12 Education Partnership, a groundbreaking plan to help young students become quantum learners.”
More information on the NSF’s quantum information science and engineering is available online.
