Latest news with #Kelvin
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Rigetti and IonQ: David Williams Selects the Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy
What's the next big thing? That question defines so many aspects of our world, from fashion to automobiles to high technology. It's rare that the answer is obvious, but one emerging trend is beginning to stand out: quantum computing. Once the stuff of science fiction, it's quickly becoming the next great leap in technology. Confident Investing Starts Here: Quantum computing promises to bring faster, more capable supercomputers from the drawing board to the real world – machines capable of performing multiple complex calculations simultaneously by leveraging the principles of superposition and entanglement inherent in quantum physics. The expected result: computers that can solve in minutes problems that today's most advanced machines couldn't crack in a century. According to ResearchAndMarkets, the quantum computing market was worth $1.85 billion globally last year, and is expected to hit $7.48 billion by 2030. That translates to a CAGR of nearly 29%. Unsurprisingly for a new field of computing tech, the hardware makes up the largest segment, 61%, of quantum's current market. This is the field that Benchmark's David Williams, a 5-star analyst ranked in the top 3% of Street experts, is looking at. He sees the opportunity, and he's digging into the current crop of companies to identify two top investment opportunities: Rigetti (NASDAQ:RGTI) and IonQ (NYSE:IONQ). Using the TipRanks platform, we checked out his picks and found that Williams isn't alone in his bullish stance – both stocks carry a Strong Buy consensus from Wall Street. Let's take a closer look. Rigetti Computing First on our short list today is Rigetti Computing, a Berkeley, California-based quantum hardware developer and provider. Rigetti has given itself a clear mission – to develop the hardware that will support and power quantum computing and move the supercomputer field into its next generation. The company has already developed a basic architecture, based on a dilution refrigeration system that cools the quantum computer to a mere one-hundredth of a Kelvin – far colder than even the depths of space. This system is designed to support Rigetti's quantum processor units, QPUs, the superconducting quantum integrated circuits that form the 'brain' of the quantum computer. Rigetti is intimately involved with every aspect of quantum computer design and construction, from the cooling systems to the QPUs to the quantum integrated circuits (QuICs) that provide control capabilities for the finished device. This involvement allows Rigetti to design and build quantum computers at the customer's desired scale. Recognizing that not every customer needs or wants a whole quantum computer in-house, Rigetti is also leading the way as a provider of quantum cloud services (QCS), or hybrid quantum-classical computing. The company can support ultra-low latency connectivity to link high-performance classical computing systems to its QCS. This past December, Rigetti launched its most advanced quantum computer, the Ankaa-3 system. This system can handle up to 84 qubits, the two-state quantum-mechanical bits that make quantum computing possible. More recently, Rigetti has released Novera, a smaller 9-qubit quantum computer based on the Ankaa-3's architecture. This new, smaller, QPU is designed to bring high performance to a smaller machine, and to make quantum computing accessible even in these early stages. Looking ahead, Rigetti's CEO has charted out a somewhat conservative course for new product and system development. He sees the company deploying, by the middle of this year, a 36-qubit system based on four linked 9-qubit chiplets, and believes that the company can deploy 100-plus qubits by year's end. Also this month, Rigetti released its 1Q25 financial results – and the top line came in well below expectations. Rigetti's revenue in the quarter was just $1.5 million, more than $1 million below the forecast, and the company's quarterly operating loss came to $21.6 million. Rigetti finished the quarter, on March 31, with $209.1 million in cash and other liquid assets available – but that was boosted before April was out when Quanta Computer purchased $35 million worth of the company's common stock. As of April 30, Rigetti had $237.7 million in liquid assets on hand. For Benchmark's Williams, the key point here is Rigetti's ability to keep moving forward with its technology. He sees the company's modular approach as an important benefit, and writes, 'We remain confident in RGTI's technology roadmap and its steady progress toward meeting internal fidelity goals. In our view, the company's superconducting methodology and modular architecture give it an inherent edge in solving the scalability issue faced by gate-based systems. Although RGTI projects a slower timeline for mass adoption than some peers, growing interest in QPU hardware sales offers near-term revenue potential ahead of wider quantum uptake. We are encouraged by consistent execution across every element of the technology platform, with fidelity standing as the key remaining obstacle to realizing quantum advantage.' Going forward from here, Williams believes that Rigetti has a sound foundation, adding: 'Despite the firm's cautious outlook, we believe RGTI is strategically positioned with a compelling architecture, substantial IP moat, and healthy balance sheet to support these efforts.' Overall, analysts are all in on Rigetti. The stock holds a Strong Buy consensus based on 5 unanimous ratings. With shares at $13.89 and an average price target of $15, the forecast calls for a 9% gain over the next 12 months. (See RGTI stock forecast) IonQ The second stock we'll look at is IonQ, which gets its name from the approach the company takes toward quantum computing. IonQ is developing trapped ion quantum computers, using electromagnetic fields to trap electrically charged atomic particles, ions, and to then use the stable electric states of those ions to store qubit information. The advantage of IonQ's approach lies in the nature of atomic particles – being closer to their subatomic building blocks than other material particles, atoms are described by the company as 'naturally quantum,' and more amenable to storing qubit data. IonQ was founded in 2015, and in the decade of its existence, the Maryland-based company has matured into the first publicly traded pure-play quantum computing firm. IonQ has brought its atomic approach into the real world through its commercially available quantum computers, Aria, and Forte. The flagship system, Aria, is a 25-qubit system that was designed to bring IonQ's approach to life; Forte, the company's second commercial system, expanded the capacity to 36 qubits. This combination of scientific credibility and commercial traction is fueling excitement on Wall Street. IonQ's stock is soaring ~37% today after CEO Niccolo de Masi told Barron's that the company aims to become the 'Nvidia of quantum computing.' Investors are responding positively to this vision, viewing it as a strong commitment to industry leadership. That rally isn't just based on words. In the first quarter, IonQ landed a $22 million deal to deliver its Forte Enterprise system to EPB in Chattanooga, where it will power the first commercially available quantum computing and networking hub. Looking ahead, IonQ is preparing to launch Tempo, a 64-qubit system designed to achieve quantum advantage in practical applications, marking another major step in the company's effort to make quantum computing commercially viable. On the financial side, IonQ generated $7.57 million in revenue during 1Q25, roughly flat year-over-year, and saw a quarterly net EPS loss of 14 cents. The EPS loss beat the forecast by 15 cents per share. IonQ is guiding for Q2 revenue in the range of $16 million to $18 million, and sees full-year 2025 revenue landing between $75 million and $95 million. At the midpoint, both targets are roughly aligned with Wall Street's expectations of $16.93 million for Q2 and $85.42 million for the full year. David Williams, in his coverage of IonQ, notes that the company is still at a very early stage – but that it has a high potential to beat analyst expectations. 'While IonQ is an early-stage tech company, the firm is executing well against targets and hitting key milestones ahead of schedule, giving us confidence that the progress toward the long-term roadmap will continue. We have increased conviction in the firm achieving Commercial Advantage later this year, likely solidifying the company's first mover advantage, which we believe will be a significant milestone and major catalyst to drive shares meaningfully above our price target. However, recognizing the risks, inherent challenges in timing, and lacking qualitative, industry accepted benchmarking techniques, we prefer to maintain a conservative valuation approach. We also note, the cadence of technology advances and expected reauthorization of the NQIA in addition to Quantinuum's potential IPO may provide a catalyst near-term,' Williams. While this top-rated analyst is cautious in his outlook, he believes that IonQ can deliver, as he explains, 'Despite tempered competitor forecasts for the industry not reaching sufficiently capable systems to generate commercial value until later this decade, our view is IONQ is likely nearer than the broader market is anticipating. With the strongest balance sheet among public peers and consistent execution, we remain confident in the company's roadmap and growth potential.' Williams clearly sees IonQ as a standout in the quantum space, rating the stock a Buy. Overall, the Street's take on Moderna presents something of a conundrum. The stock has a Strong Buy consensus rating, based on 4 Buys and 1 Hold. However, the $40 average price target implies shares will drop ~12% in the year ahead. It will be interesting to see if analysts make changes to their IONQ models shortly. (See ) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks' Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks' equity insights.
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Amapiano star Kelvin Momo warns event promoters about scam
Amapiano star Kelvin Momo has put a scammer on blast for accepting a gig on his behalf without his knowledge. Kelvin, real name Thato Ledwaba, issued a statement to alert his followers and promoters. 'We'd like to bring to your attention that there have been reports of individuals falsely claiming to represent Kelvin Momo for bookings. In particular, please be cautious of any communication from the number 060 183 2350. This person is not authorised to take bookings on behalf of Kelvin Momo. Please note Kelvin Momo's booking agency is Tsquared Productions. For the correct booking details, please refer to his Instagram bio. Beware of impersonators.' The DJ and producer's fans are gearing up for his show in June. Kelvin is set to perform at The Red Bull Symphonic which sold out in 24 hours after he was announced as headliner for the 2025 edition of the genre-defying experience, accompanied by Adam Howard and the Egoli Symphonic Orchestra. The event is set to take place on June 6 and 7 at The Teatro, Montecasino, which accommodates 1,870 people.
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
How stars die: White dwarfs, neutron stars and supernovae
The stars in the sky seem to shine forever, but they too are subject to lifespans determined by their mass and internal physics. Some last for billions of years and others are transitory in comparison, with far shorter lifetimes. Regardless of duration, all stars survive by maintaining a balance between two competing forces: the inward pull of gravity and the outward pressure produced by nuclear energy. In the dense core of a star, nuclear fusion converts hydrogen into helium. This process occurs because the extremely high temperatures and pressures force atomic nuclei — normally repelled by their positive charges — to collide and merge, releasing enormous energy. That energy heats the surrounding gas, generating thermal and radiation pressure that resists gravitational collapse. This elegant explanation of how stars shine wasn't always known. It was only in 1938, while riding a train to Ithaca, New York, that German-American physicist Hans Bethe scribbled down the equations describing how nuclear fusion powers stars — a breakthrough that won him the Nobel Prize and solved one of astrophysics' most pressing mysteries. But even fusion has its limits. When a star's fuel is exhausted, gravity takes over — and then the nature of its death depends entirely on its mass. Stars with masses similar to or less than our Sun meet their end through a relatively gentle transformation. Once the core exhausts its hydrogen, fusion slows, and gravity causes the core to contract. As it contracts, it heats up. When it crosses a critical temperature threshold — about 100 million Kelvin — helium fusion begins, converting helium into carbon and oxygen. Meanwhile, the surrounding shell of hydrogen just outside the core also heats up and reignites in a thin layer. This shell-burning dumps energy into the star's outer layers, causing them to expand dramatically. The star becomes a red giant—swollen, cooler on the surface, but far more luminous than before. Eventually, the star cannot sustain further fusion. The outer layers are gently expelled into space, forming a glowing planetary nebula, while the core is left behind as a white dwarf: a hot, dense object roughly the size of Earth, composed mostly of carbon and oxygen. About 95% of stars in an average galaxy like our Milky Way end up as white dwarfs. The Sun, too, will follow this path. In about five billion years, it will swell into a red giant, likely engulfing Mercury and Venus, perhaps even Earth. It will shed its outer layers and leave behind a white dwarf at its center— a slow, fading remnant that will radiate heat into space for billions of years. No explosion will mark the Sun's end — only a quiet dimming. But even quiet deaths have their boundaries. In 1930, a young Indian physicist named Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, while sailing to England, calculated that a white dwarf above a certain mass — about 1.4 times that of the Sun — could not support itself against gravity. Beyond this Chandrasekhar limit, collapse would be inevitable. His idea, initially ridiculed, later laid the foundation for our modern understanding of black holes and won him the Nobel prize decades later. For stars more than eight times the mass of the Sun, the end is anything but quiet. These stars can reach the extreme core temperatures required to fuse progressively heavier elements — carbon, oxygen, silicon — all the way up to iron. At this point, the physics changes dramatically. The fusion of iron does not release energy; instead, it consumes it. Without any source of pressure to oppose gravity, the core collapses in on itself within seconds. It becomes incredibly dense, forming a neutron star, or if massive enough, a black hole. Meanwhile, the outer layers of the star, still falling inward, slam into the stiffening core and rebound outward. This violent interaction, combined with a flood of escaping neutrinos and thermal energy, drives a powerful supernova explosion. The result is one of the most luminous and energetic events in the universe — a dying star momentarily shining brighter than an entire galaxy. Fusion in stars builds elements only up to iron. But the heavier elements—gold, uranium, iodine—are forged in the final moments of a star's life. The heat, pressure, and rapid neutron bombardment during a supernova enable a cascade of nuclear reactions that form these rare, heavy elements. The explosion disperses them across the galaxy, enriching the gas clouds that will form the next generation of stars and planets. Much of Earth's matter —including the iron in our blood and the calcium in our bones — originated in the fiery death of long-gone stars. Not all stellar explosions require high-mass stars. In binary systems, a white dwarf can siphon material from a nearby companion. If it accumulates enough mass, it reaches a tipping point, triggering a runaway thermonuclear explosion — a type Ia supernova — that obliterates the star. These explosions serve as cosmic mile-markers for measuring the expansion of the universe, and they too help enrich the interstellar medium with heavy elements. Whether a star dies with a whisper or a bang, its death is not just an ending — it is an act of cosmic renewal. The materials scattered by dying stars seed new solar systems, new worlds, and, ultimately, the conditions for life itself. We are built from atoms forged in the hearts of stars — refined in their lifetimes and released in their deaths. In every stellar ending lies the promise of a beginning.
GMA Network
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Kelvin Miranda admits getting overwhelmed playing Adamus in 'Sang'gre'
Kelvin Miranda's character as Adamus in "Sang'gre" is set to give a new flavor to the upcoming fantasy series. In Aubrey Carampel's report on "24 Oras," Monday, the Sparkle actor admitted that he initially got overwhelmed in his role. "Hindi lang siya naba-base kung sino ka, kung ano 'yung klase ng pagkatao mo. Lahat ay may karapatan para maging tagapangalaga so base sa iyong dedikasyon, laman ng puso at paniniwala,'" Kelvin said. "Nakaka-overwhelmed din kasi ang daming nangyari, samo't saring knowledge and emotions 'yung naramdaman mo habang ginagawa mo itong 'Encantadia,' and at the same time natututo ka habang tumatagal," he added. A prince of the Kingdom of Adamya who later became a slave, Adamus is the son of Alena, a role played by Gabbi Garcia in the 2015 series. He is also the new keeper of Brilyante ng Tubig. Aside from Kelvin, Angel Guardian will also add some spice in "Sang'gre" with her role as Deia, the new guardian of the Brilyante ng Hangin. According to Angel, she embraced the role of Sang'gre Deia with all her heart and mind. "Masasabi kong matapang ako pero hindi ko masasabing kasing tapang ako ni Deia and I aspire na maging gano'n katapang one day," she said. Angel is also thankful for being part of the new generation of Sang'gres. "Each character sa amin, meron at merong makaka-relate and I can't wait for the people to see and know each character including Deia," the Sparkle star said. Kelvin and Angel will be joined by Bianca Umali as Terra, the new keeper of the Brilyante ng Lupa, and Faith Da Silva as Flamarra, the keeper of the Brilyante ng Apoy. The cast of "Sang'gre" also includes Glaiza De Castro, Sanya Lopez, Rocco Nacino, Ruru Madrid, Kylie Padilla, who will reprise their roles from "Encantadia." —Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News
CNA
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
The rules for office fashion aren't dead. They've just changed
Her question came like a bolt from the blue: 'Kelvin, do you really think that shirt is appropriate for a client meeting?' I looked sheepishly down at my baggy, preloved tee – a style that predates our current enlightened era, where oversized second-hand clothes are not only accepted but applauded. On the front, in bold, bubble-like letters: 'Who farted?' Suddenly, I realised how out of place I was, standing in the lobby of a glamorous-looking financial centre, surrounded by glamorous-looking people in tailored suits and designer dresses. 'I … uh … I was in a rush. Sorry, boss.' She sighed, muttered something under her breath, then said: 'Why don't you grab a coffee and wait at the food court? We'll catch you up after.' And that, my friends, was how I got red-carded from a meeting for the first – and thankfully last – time. I deserved it. I had spent three nights working on that deck, only to blow the final five minutes by dressing like a 17-year-old on a break from school. But in that moment, I was indignant. I'd done the work, hadn't I? Wasn't that what counted most? I can't help but wonder – if that incident were to happen today, in our post-COVID age of 'elevated comfort', would I still be sent away? Or just met with a bemused shrug, before I headed up for the meeting with my colleagues, dressed to the nines in Lululemon athleisure and New Balance sneakers? THE BYGONE RULES OF WORK WEAR I'm exaggerating, of course. But then again, just the other day, someone in my own office showed up in slippers. Not slides. Not loafers with irony. Literally, cheap Tat Sing lookalike slippers. And to her credit, she walked in with the confidence of someone who'd slept eight hours and had eight slides of great ideas. Honestly, I wasn't offended. If anything, I was impressed, most because she still managed to look more put-together than I did. Once upon a time, office fashion had rules. A dress shirt meant effort. A blazer meant intent. A tie meant something big, like a pitch presentation. No junior executive would be caught dead without patent leather shoes so shiny they could double as mirrors. For women, heels weren't optional. Everyone was bound by the same unspoken code: Dress up to move up. But somewhere between the Great Resignation, remote work, and that weird season when everyone was baking sourdough in pajamas, the idea of dressing for work collapsed. It started with Casual Fridays, rolled on with hybrid Wednesdays, and the coffin seemed to be sealed by the silent acceptance of hotpants at team meetings – and I'm not talking about Zoom calls. NOT JUST WHAT WE WEAR, BUT WHY Look, I get it. The pandemic rewired everything. We learnt that comfort and productivity weren't mutually exclusive. You can write strategy decks in a bathing suit as well as you can in a power suit. But here's the thing: The erosion of dress codes hasn't just changed what we wear; it's changed why. It's blurred the signals we once sent without saying a word. Like it or not, our attire says something about who we are – inside and out. Take the intern who wears a blazer over a crop top. Or the copywriter in normcore minimalism with an Aesop scent trail. These aren't just outfits. They're PowerPoints in cotton. Brand positioning – for people. With no clear corporate uniform, we've entered the age of 'vibe-based' dressing. We no longer dress for the job we want, but for the mood we're in. 'Main character energy' now trumps 'management-track polish'. On any given Monday, the odds that someone might show up channelling Kendall Roy from Succession or Portia from The White Lotus are pretty much even. Instead of official dress codes, we now have aesthetic lanes: 'quiet luxury', 'clean girl', 'bloke-core', 'I-don't-care-but-I-do'. If the typical office of old looked like a law firm, today's looks more like a fashion-week reel. In a way, I'm here for it. But I wonder: Is there still room for dressing to impress? Not in a Mad Men cosplay way – in a quiet, intentional way. A crisp shirt, not for the client but for yourself. Trousers with seams, because the day deserves them. There's dignity in effort, even in something as trivial as hems. In a previous job, I had a colleague who wore button-downs every day. Not out of vanity (okay, not just out of vanity), but to flip the switch from 'home self' to 'work self' – his own personal Severance ritual. And when he walked into a room, you could feel it. Meetings felt sharper. People sat up – not because he commanded authority, but because he carried presence. And it definitely stuck with me. So a few weeks ago, I did something small. I pulled out trousers with seams. Picked a shirt with buttons and a collar. Reached past my Homer Simpson 'Bush Meme' Stan Smiths and – cautiously – grabbed a pair of real shoes. Actual shoes. Of course, no one noticed, but that's the point. It really is about noticing yourself, and showing up accordingly. Showing up with intention isn't performative. It's grounding. A way of saying: I'm here. I'm locked in. Let's go.
