Latest news with #Nord
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This tiny quantum computer could blow massive data centers out of the water with speed, power, and pure physics
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Nord Quantique promises quantum power without the bulk or energy drain Traditional HPC may fall if Nord's speed and energy claims prove real Cracking RSA-830 in an hour could transform cybersecurity forever A quantum computing startup has announced plans to develop a utility-scale quantum computer with more than 1,000 logical qubits by 2031. Nord Quantique has set an ambitious target which, if achieved, could signal a seismic shift in high-performance computing (HPC). The company claims its machines are smaller and would offer far greater efficiency in both speed and energy consumption, thereby making traditional HPC systems obsolete. Nord Quantique uses 'multimode encoding' via a technique known as the Tesseract code, and this allows each physical cavity in the system to represent more than one quantum mode, effectively increasing redundancy and resilience without adding complexity or size. 'Multimode encoding allows us to build quantum computers with excellent error correction capabilities, but without the impediment of all those physical qubits,' explained Julien Camirand Lemyre, CEO of Nord Quantique. 'Beyond their smaller and more practical size, our machines will also consume a fraction of the energy, which makes them appealing for instance to HPC centers where energy costs are top of mind.' Nord's machines would occupy a mere 20 square meters, making them highly suitable for data center integration. Compared to 1,000–20,000 m² needed by competing platforms, this portability further strengthens its case. 'These smaller systems are also simpler to develop to utility-scale due to their size and lower requirements for cryogenics and control electronics,' the company added. The implication here is significant: better error correction without scaling physical infrastructure, a central bottleneck in the quantum race. In a technical demonstration, Nord's system exhibited excellent stability over 32 error correction cycles with no measurable decay in quantum information. 'Their approach of encoding logical qubits in multimode Tesseract states is a very effective method of addressing error correction and I am impressed with these results,' said Yvonne Gao, Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore. 'They are an important step forward on the industry's journey toward utility-scale quantum computing.' Such endorsements lend credibility, but independent validation and repeatability remain critical for long-term trust. Nord Quantique claims its system could solve RSA-830, a representative cryptographic challenge, in just one hour using 120 kWh of energy at 1 MHz speed, slashing the energy need by 99%. In contrast, traditional HPC systems would require approximately 280,000 kWh over nine days. Other quantum modalities, such as superconducting, photonic, cold atoms, and ion traps, fall short in either speed or efficiency. For instance, cold atoms might consume only 20 kW, but solving the same problem would take six months. That said, there remains a need for caution. Post-selection - used in Nord's error correction demonstrations, required discarding 12.6% of data per round. While this helped show stability, it introduces questions about real-world consistency. In quantum computing, the leap from laboratory breakthrough to practical deployment can be vast; thus, the claims on energy reduction and system miniaturization, though striking, need independent real-world verification. Upgrading to Windows 11 just got easier - Microsoft introduces a new business backup tool Check out the best 3D modeling software for 3D printing and more We've rounded up the best portable monitors available now
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany to do 'everything' to prevent Nord Stream 2 restart, Merz says
The German government will "do everything to ensure that Nord Stream 2 cannot be put back into operation," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28. Speaking during a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin, Merz vowed to "further increase the pressure on Russia" as Moscow intensifies its attacks on Ukrainian cities. Kyiv's European partners have pledged to ramp up economic pressure on Russia as it continues to reject a ceasefire. Though no step has been taken so far, Zelensky hinted on May 27 that the EU's upcoming 18th package could have a significant impact on the Russian economy. According to earlier reporting, the upcoming package could include a complete ban on restarting Nord Stream pipelines and new banking sanctions. The goal of the sanctions must be to "weaken Moscow's war machine," Merz added. Nord Stream 1 and 2 are gas pipelines running between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea. Nord Stream 2 has never been activated, and the pipes shut down after suspected sabotage in 2022. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed in March that discussions were underway with the United States to resume gas flows through the pipelines. Read also: Sanctions on Russia are working, Ukraine just needs more We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
New European
27-05-2025
- Politics
- New European
Germansplaining: Does Gerhard Schröder really have burnout?
The 81-year-old former chancellor was due to appear before a parliamentary inquiry in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern over his role in the Nord Stream 2 saga. But it doesn't look as if he will be grilled – respectfully – any time soon. Respect the elders, the saying goes – as old age usually brings wisdom and moral guidance. The bible even commands it: 'Honour the presence of an old man' (Leviticus 19:32). But what if the old man in question is Gerhard Schröder? Schröder has already cancelled his testimony twice, citing burnout. Let's rewind a bit. Nord Stream 2 – the twin pipeline to Nordstream 1, between Germany's Baltic Sea coast and Russia – was the £8.5bn project heavily criticised by Poland, the Baltics, Ukraine and the US (to name only a few). German, Austrian, French and Dutch-British companies cooperated to build it, but ownership was 100% Russky, via Gazprom. Due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine it never went into operation, and several mysterious explosions have since blown up one of the lines. It lies shattered at the bottom of the sea, a fancy playground for cod. There's more to it, though, which makes you think of a Banana- rather than a Bundesrepublik. Before 2022, the US had already slapped sanctions on companies involved, warning that Nordstream 2 would give the Kremlin dangerous leverage. Berlin didn't listen. And in the north-east, the SPD-CDU government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – a beautiful but perennially broke bit of the country – was keen on a slice of the action. So, in a stroke of genius, a philanthropic climate foundation was set up. Yes, really. The 'Stiftung Klima- und Umweltschutz' was established in early 2021, when the pipeline was nearly complete, to help finish it. The trick was this: companies could work with the (commercial arm of the) foundation, conveniently outside the reach of US sanctions, not with Nord Stream 2 AG, aka Gazprom. The Klimastiftung was bankrolled almost entirely by Nord Stream, with the state chucking in just a few coins of the roughly £17m capital to make it look official. Now, the state parliament is trying to find out who came up with this clever little workaround and whether Russia influenced political decisions. Enter Schröder. Or rather – not. The ex-chancellor is still chair of Nord Stream 2's board, despite the pipeline being as useful as a chocolate teapot. He was invited to testify before the committee twice. Both times he bailed for mental health reasons. In a recent letter to the committee, he said it was by no means certain recovery could 'be achieved this year'. Until then, he should avoid stressful situations, 'especially those that last for more than an hour and during which not everyone involved can take my health situation into consideration'. Coincidentally, he seemed perfectly cheerful just last week when attending a parliamentary session in Hanover to watch the election of the new Ministerpräsident of Lower Saxony. While further north, in Schwerin, MPs are waiting in vain for the former chancellor's appearance. Well, Schröder has long been known for his subtle middle-finger attitude, which is why his letter also states that he, Schröder, was right all along. To be competitive, he wrote, Germany's industry needs cheap energy, and as renewables are still not reliably available 24/7 and nuclear is off the table, 'I am in favour of natural gas and a pipeline is more environmentally friendly than a tanker powered by heavy fuel oil that brings us LNG gas,' he writes. Mecklenburg's Green Party MPs are now demanding a medical certificate from a public health officer. As if someone who has no scruples and calls Vladimir Putin a friend would have trouble coming up with any attestation needed… But that isn't saying Schröder has no burnout. According to Bild, his bank – the Sparkasse Hannover – has blocked transfers suspected of being Russian, fearing US sanctions. Since mid-2024, he has allegedly missed out on around half a million euros. Nord Stream 2 had been paying him €200,000 every six months – for what, exactly, is anyone's guess – but now the money is sent back to Gazprombank in Luxembourg. Interestingly, last June, Hanover's Green Party mayor joined the Sparkasse board. He had wanted to strip Schröder of his honorary citizenship, but Gerhard beat him to it and handed it back himself. So here he is: snubbed at home, his Berlin office taken from him, unpaid by Moscow, with even the local savings bank giving him the cold shoulder. If that doesn't cause burnout, what does?
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Use Nord Stream as leverage in Russia talks, argues German premier
A senior German conservative leader is in favour using the possible reopening of the Nord Stream gas pipelines as leverage to get Russia to the negotiating table. "Nord Stream is a possible opening for talks with Russia," said Michael Kretschmer, the deputy chairman of Germany's governing Christian Democrats (CDU), in an interview with the Zeit Online outlet released on Sunday. Kretschmer, who also serves as the premier of the eastern state of Saxony, argued 20% of Germany's gas needs should be covered with imports from Russia. Germany used to be highly dependent on Russian gas imports before the war in Ukraine, with energy prices soaring when supplies were cut in the wake of the invasion. New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has backed the European Commission's plan to block reactivation of the pipelines as part of a new sanctions package against Russia, intended to pressure Moscow into ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine. But Kretschmer said he did not find this strategy particularly helpful, noting there were two options to get Russia to agree to talks. "Either you try to force Russia, as has been the case up to now, or you try a positive approach," he said, adding he was a clear proponent of the latter. "As long as we say: We don't want anything, we don't want gas supplies, we're just imposing sanctions, there's no point [for Russia] in talking to us." The Nord Stream project includes two pipelines - Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 - leading from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. After supplying Europe with gas for more than 10 years via Nord Stream 1, Moscow halted deliveries following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Nord Stream 2, while completed, was yet to begin operations at that time. Three of the pipelines' four strands were damaged in September 2022 in what was widely believed to have been an act of sabotage. Kretschmer said reactivating Nord Stream would also boost the German economy, noting that many companies were leaving the country amid high production costs, with energy prices being a central issue. "It would greatly improve our situation if we could obtain around 20% of our gas from Russia," the state leader said. While Kretschmer said he currently doesn't see any willingness to change strategy in Berlin, he was certain that "if economic developments continue as they are, we will be forced to change course in one or two years."
Bloomberg
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
EU Eyes Nord Stream 2 Sanctions to Stamp Out Russian Gas Return
The European Union is nearing a decision to include the Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines linking Germany and Russia in a fresh proposal of sanctions against Moscow amid persistent rumors about reviving flows that the bloc wants to stop. The European Commission will start consulting member states as early as today on banning the links that run under the Baltic Sea and a decision will take into account recent developments in talks to end the war in Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter who requested not to be identified because discussions are private.
