Quantum computing has the possible to avoid the onslaught of the next pandemic, Omkar Rai, a top technologies specialist and director-basic, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), has stated. Quantum computing refers to next-generation computing that can accelerate essential calculations exponentially by means of the use of qubits – subatomic particles that have the superfast processing energy, thereby enhancing optimisation. The Covid-19 pandemic has pivoted the focus towards emerging technologies to address international challenges.
“Quantum computing has opened new frontiers in research in cyber-security, communications, computing, among others,” he stated. “Zoonotic diseases such as coronavirus, Ebola and SARS have had major health and economic implications worldwide. A typical vaccine development takes approximately 12-18 months. Quantum computing can speed up vaccine development by solving complex equations with higher accuracy than classical computing. Hence, quantum computing can help prevent the onslaught of the next pandemic and prevent the massive loss of human lives.”
The STPI DG added that collaboration would be the essential to harnessing the possible of this emerging technologies and realise the positive aspects it provides. In-depth and higher-high quality analysis with hands-on projects and partnership with a variety of business bodies and corporate will be the essential to adopt quantum computing in India.
Quantum computing can play an instrumental function in vaccine development as it requires complicated computing. The vaccine development procedure demands an understanding of the protein structure of the virus and its binding behaviour on the host’s cell by means of molecular simulations. A common vaccine development procedure requires numerous stages of clinical trials.
Most of physics and chemistry are based on a single equation—the Schrödinger equation. Classical computing either truncates that equation or decodes the trouble into a easier kind. But quantum computer systems simulate systems with wonderful precision by parameterising and solving the equation.
India’s initially satellite-based quantum communication experiment—the Quantum Experiments utilizing Satellite Technology, or QuEST project was performed in 2017. The government has announced the National Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applications (NM-QTA) in Budget 2020 with a total allocation of `8,000 crore for 5 years.