Quantum Computing helps fight food insecurity and climate change

New research by Universal Quantum has determined how a quantum computer could break the encryption of Bitcoin and simulate a crucial molecule in the fight against global food shortages and climate change. The research, undertaken by Universal Quantum, University of Sussex and Qu&Co, was published today in an Editor's Choice paper in AVS Quantum Science. The paper demonstrates that a quantum computer with 13 million physical qubits could break Bitcoin encryption within a day; and it would take a 300 million qubit computer to break it within an hour. There has also been considerable progress in reducing the physical size of quantum computers. Mark Webber, quantum architect at Universal Quantum and the paper’s lead author, who embarked on the research whilst studying for a PhD at the University of Sussex comments: ‘Four years ago, we estimated that a trapped ion quantum computer would need a billion physical qubits to break RSA encryption, which is the standard method of encrypting communication today, equating to a size 100m2. With innovations across the board, the size of the computer would now just need to be 2.5m2.’ ‘State-of-the-art quantum computers today only have 50-100 qubits,’ Webber continues. ‘Our estimated requirement of 13-300 million physical qubits suggests Bitcoin should be considered safe from a quantum attack for now, but quantum computing technologies are scaling quickly with regular breakthroughs affecting such estimates and making them a very possible scenario within the next 10 years.’ Quantum computers are exponentially more powerful at breaking many encryption techniques than classical computers. While today's largest supercomputer could never pose a serious threat, current encryption methods will one day be vulnerable to a quantum computing attack. That includes Bitcoin’s encryption and more widespread techniques such as RSA encryption. Tackling the world food shortage and saving energy The scientists also focused their research on the potential of quantum computers to play a key part in tackling hunger and climate issues through testing the simulation of the FeMoco molecule, which is responsible for biological nitrogen fixation and a common object of research in quantum computing. The FeMoco molecule is important for converting nitrogen in the air into ammonia, which could then be used for fertilizers. ‘We are currently spending around 2 per cent of the world energy supply on just this process, so a better understanding of the FeMoco molecule could greatly improve efficiency in this field with an immensely positive impact on world food scarcity and the climate crisis. But these two use cases are the tip of the iceberg, we’re only just starting to understand the impact on society for reaching quantum advantage,’ added Webber.