World's Smallest Wire May Usher in Age of Quantum Computers

[NES SNES V.B. N64 G.C. Wii WiiU]

^Ah, OK, I guess I didn't know that about things becoming stronger as they get smaller.

 

[Gahars]

^Ah, OK, I guess I didn't know that about things becoming stronger as they get smaller.

Well, it's only when you start getting down to the atomic level that the material gets stronger. It really seems to fly in the face of common sense, so it's an understandable mistake.

 

[Deleted-236924]

If we got an iron wire of 1 atom of diameter, would we be able to make it pass through our hand without hurting ourselves?
Assuming we had a way to hold it without it falling through our fingers.

 

[ferofax]

Think of the military applications, we could have the beginnings of mecha alongside tanks and aircraft with drastically improved sensors and FCS thanks to this technology. However it's still about 10 years away (maybe 5-8 because the military is what I'm mentioned, they test stuff first).

smart weapons, or smarter weapons, sure. but mecha? it's not in the circuitry, but the in the soundness of the mecha design AND the strength/lightness of the material involved. if Gundams were made for real with real materials, even the best allows won't be able to hold up that torso. the legs will fold under all that weight.

at most, think something like Front Mission or Battletech--box-like semi-biped robots that are slow, lumbering, but might as well be a walking fortress.

 

[Tom]

4 atoms is impressive but kinda useless if it can't handle over 5-12 volts

 

[gokujr1000]

Another moment where I can be proud of my Country

 

[shakirmoledina]

maybe now can we can get a 3ds lite.

 

[awssk8er]

Eh, I'm not switching over yet.

I'll wait for the 3 atom tall model.

 

[NES SNES V.B. N64 G.C. Wii WiiU]

Another moment where I can be proud of my Country

I know hey. Go Australia

But another problem is what can a wire this small support?

 

[Vigilante]

I can now see the future from now.

 

[flaboy909]

Honestly, the advancement of silicon photonics is a much greater technological achievement than the advancement of copper/traditional wiring.

 

[triassic911]

News like this makes me happy to know we are indeed progressing.

 

[Zerosuit connor]

Yah, Sydney
Haters Gonna Hate
Yay for advancement in technology.

 

[denieru7]

Yah, Sydney

It was actually scientists at UNSW, the uni I go to

 

[mechadylan]

Moore's law in action; I find solace in this.