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ScienceGlobal issues

Quantum computers – their potential and limits

26:04

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December 19, 2025

New quantum computer for hitherto impossible tasks / An airship measures aerosols / Why temperature is tied to altitude / Building structures with reusable blocks / The advantages of wooden houses.

Quantum computers are the next big thing in the world of computing. They should be able to calculate more accurate climate and weather forecasts, for example, or help with drug development. The only problem is that the next-generation machines only function properly under very specific conditions. It has to be incredibly cold for their superconducting circuits to work, though when they’re up and running they’ll be able to do much more than our current conventional desktops. Quantum computers can process extreme amounts of data, but we have to feed them with the right information. For example, with data collected by an airship over Germany’s tallest peak, the Zugspitze. At an altitude of 3,000 meters, far from everyday life in the valleys, a research team is using a Zeppelin to measure particulate pollution. It’s cold on the Zugspitze. There are around 200 days a year when the thermometer doesn’t rise above freezing there, and on around 40 days annually the temperature drops below -10°C. One of our viewers had a related question: Why is it colder on mountain peaks even though they are closer to the sun? Today’s other topics: Building houses with a system of reusable blocks, and why wooden houses feel so warm and cozy. Finally, something special: our colleague Esteban Pardo takes us on a trip into the quantum world with a very special song!

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Tomorrow Today — The Science Show

Dive in to the fascinating world of science with Tomorrow Today. Your weekly dose of science knowledge. A show for everyone who's curious -- about our cosmos and how it works.