Science & Technology

New quantum 'game' showcases promise of quantum computers

Daniel William Strain — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 22:07:04 +0000

New quantum 'game' showcases promise of quantum computers Daniel William… Thu, 04/17/2025 - 16:07

Daniel Strain

Imagine the tiniest game of checkers in the world—one played by using lasers to precisely shuffle around ions across a very small grid.

That’s the idea behind a recent study published in the journal Physical Review Letters. A team of theoretical physicists from Colorado designed a new type of quantum “game” that scientists can play on a real quantum computer—or a device that manipulates small objects, such as atoms, to perform calculations.

The researchers even tested their game out on one such device, the Quantinuum System Model H1 Quantum Computer developed by the company Quantinuum. The study is a collaboration between scientists at the �� and Quantinuum, which is based in Broomfield, Colorado.

Quantinuum's System Model H1 Quantum Computer runs off a chip that can fit in the palm of your hand. (Credit: Quantinuum)

The findings highlight just a slice of what these devices may be capable of, said study co-author Rahul Nandkishore.

“Small-scale quantum devices are rapidly coming online,” said Nandkishore, associate professor in the Department of Physics at CU Boulder. “That really prompts the question: ‘What are they good for?’”

Why quantum?

The answer: A lot, potentially.

Scientists believe that quantum computers could one day perform a range of tasks with a speed that’s unheard of today—such as discovering new drugs to treat human illnesses or exploring how atoms and electrons interact at very small scales.

But building a quantum computer that works as desired isn’t an easy goal. Unlike your home laptop, which runs on bits, or switches that flip to either zero or one, quantum computers hinge on a concept called qubits. Qubits, which can be made from atoms or other small objects, take on values of zero, one, or through the strangeness of quantum physics, both simultaneously.

Qubits are also notoriously difficult to control, said study co-author David Stephen, a physicist at Quantinuum.

To explore a new way of lassoing these quantum entities, the research assembled a network of qubits into what physicists call a “topological” phase of matter—a bit like a clump of very small knots. That arrangement allowed the team to play a simple mathematical game without disrupting the quantum computer in the process, a major challenge for this kind of technology.

“In principle, there was nothing too surprising about this experiment. It worked exactly as we thought it would, in theory,” Stephen said. “But the fact that it did work so well can be seen as a benchmark for this quantum computer.”

Rahul Nandkishore

Reading minds

Quantum games have been around for a long time, Nandkishore added, and even predate the world’s first quantum computer. They are mathematical exercises that allow scientists to explore some of the more out-there possibilities of quantum physics, which can also be tested experimentally.

Physicist David Mermin popularized the idea of quantum games in 1990. In a typical quantum game, two or more hypothetical human players receive prompts, then take turns filling out a grid with the numbers zero and one. (Picture something a little like sudoku). The players “win” the game if their arrangement of zeros and ones completes a certain mathematical pattern.

There’s just one problem, Nandkishore said. They players have to sit in different rooms. And they aren’t telepathic.

“They can agree on whatever strategy they want in advance, but they can’t communicate during the game,” said study co-author Oliver Hart, a postdoctoral associate in physics at CU Boulder. “It’s relatively straightforward to show that there’s no strategy that wins the game with certainty.”

Which is where quantum physics comes in.

Mermin proposed that, in theory, you could give each player one of a collection of entangled particles. Entangled particles have interacted in such a way that measuring one will affect the outcome of measuring the other. That’s true even if the particles are separated, say in the next room (or next city) over. In a quantum game, players can use these correlations to coordinate their answers. It’s a feat so seemingly improbable that scientists nicknamed it quantum “pseudotelepathy.”

In practice, entangling particles inside a quantum computer, isn’t so simple.

Even the slightest disturbance, such as a minute increase in temperature, can snap the link between two particles. Those sorts of errors only stack up the more qubits you add to a quantum computer.

Quantum knotwork

Nandkishore and his colleagues wanted to play quantum games in a different way—one that might be easier to win in the real world.

To do that, the group turned to Quantinuum’s System Model H1. This device runs off a chip that can fit in the palm of your hand. It employs lasers to control a collection of as many as 20 qubits (in this case, ytterbium ions trapped above the surface of the chip).

In the current study, the researchers sent the computer commands online. They arranged the ytterbium ions into a two-dimensional grid so that they generated an unusual quantum structure: Instead of having just two or three ions that were entangled, the entire collection of ions exhibited an underlying pattern of entanglement, a “topological” order. It’s almost as if the qubits had tied themselves into knots.

And those knots, Nandkishore said, aren’t easy to unravel.

“We have order that's associated with this global pattern of entanglement across the whole system,” he said. “If you make a local disturbance, it shouldn’t mess it up.”

The researchers took on the role of quantum game players and experimented with making measurements of various qubits inside H1-1. They showed that they were able to achieve quantum pseudotelepathy, and win the game, roughly 95% of the time or more. The researchers were able to win the game consistently even when they added outside disturbances and additional hypothetical players measuring additional qubits.

Nandkishore noted that, on its own, the team’s game probably won’t solve any real-world problems. But it reveals that today’s quantum computers may already be able to grow bigger without losing their edge, at least in a few cases.

“This study is proof of principle that there is something that quantum devices can already do that outperforms the best available classical strategy, and in a way that’s robust and scalable,” he said.

Beyond the story

Our quantum impact by the numbers:

60-plus years as the regional epicenter for quantum research
4 Nobel prizes in physics awarded to university researchers
No. 11 quantum physics program in the nation and co-leader on the new Quantum Incubator facility

Follow CU Boulder on LinkedIn

A team of physicists from CU Boulder teamed up with a group from the Colorado-based company Quantinuum to show how devices called quantum computers can outcompete traditional computers—at least, in some circumstances.

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CU Boulder shines for World Quantum Day in Colorado

Megan Maneval — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 17:23:46 +0000

CU Boulder shines for World Quantum Day in Colorado Megan Maneval Tue, 04/15/2025 - 11:23

CU Boulder has made the most of the last year of advances in quantum science and technology. World Quantum Day is a worldwide initiative to promote the public understanding of quantum science and technology around the world.

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Who has the influence to curb gender bias in STEM?

Megan Maneval — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 16:38:31 +0000

Who has the influence to curb gender bias in STEM? Megan Maneval Tue, 04/08/2025 - 10:38

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

Charlotte Moser studies how allyship in male-dominated fields influences workplace culture. Her findings reveal an unsettling but potentially useful truth.

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Dams’ failures intensified flood tragedy in Libya

Megan Maneval — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 20:48:16 +0000

Dams’ failures intensified flood tragedy in Libya Megan Maneval Thu, 04/03/2025 - 14:48

CIRES

Researchers analyzed satellite data and models to find dam failures—not rainfall—led to increased flood damage in Derna, Libya, in 2023.

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Biodegradable nails make manicures more sustainable

Daniel William Strain — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 03:01:44 +0000

Biodegradable nails make manicures more sustainable Daniel William… Wed, 04/02/2025 - 21:01

Daniel Strain , Nicholas Goda

Bio-e-Nails, a more sustainable kind of press-on nails, come in all shapes and colors. (Credit: Living Matter Lab)

Sit down, relax and get your nails done at the sustainability salon.

In a new study, a team of researchers at the ��’s ATLAS Institute has designed a new kind of press-on nails that are biodegradable, colorful and endlessly customizable.

The group’s designs, called Bio-e-Nails, use common ingredients obtained from algae or the hard exteriors of shellfish and other animals. They come in all shapes and sizes: Do you like long and sparkly nails? You can make them yourself in your own kitchen. What about shorter, bright pink nails with built-in computer chips? They’re possible, too.

And, when you’re done with your latest look, you can melt down the nails and make a new set—or whatever else you can imagine, said co-creator Eldy Lázaro Vásquez.

“With Bio-e-Nails, there can be a second life, a third life, a fourth life,” said Lázaro Vásquez, a doctoral student at ATLAS and lead author of the new research. “The material can be remelted and reshaped into new objects. You can make a new nail, for sure, but also a coaster for your coffee cup.”

She and her colleagues unveiled their Bio-e-Nails in March at the 2025 Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction (TEI) conference in France.

The team’s instructions for making Bio-e-Nails are available for free online. They’re also easy enough that anyone can follow them using craft supplies and ingredients for sale at many grocery stores.

Mirela Alistar, the study’s senior author, explained that creating sustainable fashion doesn’t mean sacrificing functionality or beauty.

“Sustainability goes beyond merely replacing plastic with a substitute material,” said Alistar, assistant professor at ATLAS and the Department of Computer Science. “Both the designer and the user also need to change their mindset. That type of change, which considers the entire lifecycle of the wearable, is what we are tackling through our research in the Living Matter Lab.”

Adding crystals to Bio-e-Nails. (Credit: Living Matter Lab)

A few simple steps

Lázaro Vásquez noted that, for many people, going to the nail salon is an important ritual, and a very visible way to express themselves.

“[Nails] can be a reflection of your personality,” Lázaro Vásquez said. “They represent something that comes from you.”

Eldy Lázaro Vasquez displays Bio-e-Nails during a recent conference in France. (Credit: Living Matter Lab)

Bio-e-Nails are designed for short-term use, making them ideal for a night out. (Credit: Living Matter Lab)

But treating yourself can also come with a downside. Many of the chemicals that nails salons employ can generate air pollutants that pose risks to health of customers and workers. They include methyl methacrylate, which helps acrylic nails bond to your real ones. According to one estimate, the global press-on nails industry is worth nearly $700 million and growing rapidly, which means a lot of plastic waste going into landfills.

“We’re not used to thinking of nails as a waste material because they're so small, but they add up,” Alistar said.

Bio-e-Nails represent a new way of thinking about that process. Julia Tung, an undergraduate student who took a course on biodesign taught by Alistar in 2023, developed a set of bioplastic nails as a class project. Following Tung’s initial explorations, Lázaro Vásquez and her fellow graduate students Sepideh Mohammadi, Latifa Al Naimi and Shira David developed new biomaterial formulations and fabrication methods for their nails.

To make Bio-e-Nails, designers begin with one of two powder ingredients: Agar (which comes from algae and is often used as a vegan substitute for gelatin) or chitosan (which comes from seashells and other animal products and is a common health supplement).

If you’re using chitosan, you first mix that ingredient with vinegar and water, then warm and cool the slurry in a water bath. Next, pour it into a clay mold shaped like your favorite press-on nails. After 48 hours, you’re ready to peel off the thin film and trim away the excess material. (The directions for making agar nails are a little different but just as simple).

Voilá—it’s time to show off those new nails.

Make it your own

Lázaro Vásquez added that Bio-e-Nails are customizable for any aesthetic and can also be interactive.

You can, for example, add food coloring to create nails in bright orange, green, blue or any other color. You might also introduce sparkles or crystals for a bit of extra glam, even making nails that look like a starry night sky. The researchers experimented with incorporating tiny computer chips into Bio-e-Nails. You can then program your smartphone to trigger certain commands when you tap it with your nail—such as displaying the number for your emergency contact or pulling up directions home.

Bio-e-Nails are designed for short-term use, Lázaro Vásquez said, making them ideal for occasions like a night out. The research team proposed three ways to extend the life cycle of the materials, with composting as the last resort. A better option is to reuse those materials for your next look.

“Composting should be the last alternative. We want to keep the materials in use as long as we can,” Lázaro Vásquez said. “In biodesign, it’s not just about replacing traditional materials with biodegradable ones—it’s about rethinking the entire design process, considering the life cycle of the material and eventual products, and how they can stay in circulation and be transformed before they ever return to nature.”

Beyond the story

Our sustainability impact by the numbers:

First student-run campus environmental center in the U.S.
No. 11 university for environmental and social impact in the U.S.
First zero-waste major sports stadium in the U.S.

Follow CU Boulder on LinkedIn

A new kind of press-on nails comes in all shapes and colors—and when you’re done with them, you can melt them down and reuse the materials to make your next look.

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Dialing in the temperature needed for precise nuclear timekeeping

Megan Maneval — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:28:16 +0000

Dialing in the temperature needed for precise nuclear timekeeping Megan Maneval Wed, 03/19/2025 - 08:28

JILA

For decades, atomic clocks have been the pinnacle of precision timekeeping, enabling GPS navigation, cutting-edge physics research and tests of fundamental theories. But researchers at JILA, in collaboration with the Technical University of Vienna, are pushing beyond atomic transitions to something potentially even more stable: a nuclear clock.

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2nd round of quantum seed grants awarded to drive innovation, impact

Megan Maneval — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:23:56 +0000

2nd round of quantum seed grants awarded to drive innovation, impact Megan Maneval Wed, 03/19/2025 - 08:23

Funded through nearly $1.5 million approved by the Colorado Economic Development Commission, these grants bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and commercialization.

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Ultrafast microscope makes movies one quadrillionth of a second at a time

Megan Maneval — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:42:46 +0000

Ultrafast microscope makes movies one quadrillionth of a second at a time Megan Maneval Thu, 03/13/2025 - 11:42

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

New CU Boulder research harnesses the power of an ultrafast microscope to study molecular movement in space and time.

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Storytelling, not statistics, can make STEM more inclusive

Megan Maneval — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:59:45 +0000

Storytelling, not statistics, can make STEM more inclusive Megan Maneval Mon, 03/10/2025 - 11:59

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

CU Boulder researcher Eva Pietri studies how stories can help address gender bias and create inclusivity.

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Did ChatGPT write this? No, but how would you know?

Megan Maneval — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:31:03 +0000

Did ChatGPT write this? No, but how would you know? Megan Maneval Thu, 03/06/2025 - 07:31

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

In her Writing in the Age of AI course, CU Boulder’s Teresa Nugent helps students think critically about new technology.

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Science & Technology

New quantum 'game' showcases promise of quantum computers

Why quantum?

Reading minds

Quantum knotwork

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