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Is The Future Quantum? : Short Wave NPR science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel takes us to IonQ, one of the companies betting on a quantum computing future. Along the way, Geoff explains what little researchers know about how we might actually use this technology. There are hints though quantum computing could change everything from discovering new drugs to developing advanced materials.

Want us to cover another promising, complicated technology? Email us — we're at shortwave@npr.org.

Short Wave

Is The Future Quantum?

Is The Future Quantum?

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Google is one of the companies investing in building quantum computers. Google hide caption

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Google is one of the companies investing in building quantum computers.

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NPR science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel takes us to IonQ, one of the companies betting on a quantum computing future. Along the way, Geoff explains what little researchers know about how we might actually use this technology. There are hints though quantum computing could change everything from discovering new drugs to developing advanced materials.

Learn more about quantum entanglement from our earlier episode, Quantum Mechanics For Beginners.

Want us to cover another promising, complicated technology? Email us — we're at shortwave@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Rebecca Ramirez, edited by Viet Le and fact-checked by Rasha Aridi. Josh Newell was the audio engineer.