Professor Michelle Simmons explores “The Atomic Revolution” in her first Boyer Lecture
Professor Michelle Simmons, who this week was awarded the top honour at the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, will trace the path from the discovery of the atom to the race to create the world’s first quantum computer in her first Boyer Lecture, The Atomic Revolution on Thursday 19 October.
Her lecture will reflect on what started out a quarter century ago as frontier science to test the bounds of what was technically possible. In that time, she has demonstrated the ability to manipulate atoms into working atomic-scale devices and created a clear pathway for making a quantum computer.
Professor Simmons said “This is a story that links fundamental physics with extraordinary technological advancement and the future of computing. It is also largely an Australian story.”
“My team’s ability to make electronic devices at the level of single atoms puts us at the very forefront of this field and has given us a unique opportunity to build a quantum computer here in Australia.”
“Current estimates suggest that 40% of our economy has the potential to be impacted by quantum computing and that the global quantum computing opportunity could be worth $150 billion per annum by 2040.”
“My team and I are now on a mission to use our atomic assembly technology to build a prototype quantum computer for which all the functional elements are manufactured and controlled at the atomic scale.”
The Atomic Revolution with Professor Simmons will screen live on ABC TV and ABC iview on Thursday 19 October at 8pm. ABC RN will broadcast the four Boyer lectures weekly from Sunday 22 October at 9.30am and anytime on ABC listen.
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