Singapore sets up S$150m research centre for quantum technology
By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 02 May 2007 2123 hrs

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SINGAPORE : The technology for the world's fastest computer may be invented in Singapore in the next 10 to 20 years.

And this is possible with a newly set up research centre, which costs S$150 million.

Located at the National University of Singapore, the project is jointly funded by the Education Ministry and the National Research Foundation.

The future of technology will be laser sharp: this involves quantum technology - a new science that combines physics, math and computer science to make computers faster and smaller.

It can also make the transmission of information so secure that no one apparently is able to hack the system.

And all these will be done in the Republic at the new Research Centre of Excellence on Quantum Information Science and Technology, or QIST.

Dr Tony Tan, Chairman, National Research Foundation, said: "QIST will hold the key to the next wave of technologies to overcome challenges and critical problems that are unique to our times. One example is the security industry which deals with civilian and battle field environments, and this industry will benefit from the new modes of secure communications supported by QIST."

Similar research institutes can be found overseas and many have been established over a decade ago in places like Japan, Europe and China.

But researchers say building one in Singapore right now is still not too late since they will be focusing on niche areas currently not available in other places.

One area is quantum cryptography - which is about making more secure systems for the transmission of sensitive information over the air.

Professor Artur Ekert, Director, Research Centre of Excellence, said: "At the moment, you can buy quantum cryptography systems, you can use it in some simple applications but somehow you have to trust companies that sell it to you or you have to test the equipment.

"The kind of quantum cryptography we develop here is probably the most sophisticated that is not available in any other countries so we have some ideas to make it so secure that you don't even have to trust equipment that you could buy from a vendor."

The Education Ministry hopes that the new centre can also encourage more students to be more interested in physics and mathematics, through outreach programmes. - CNA/ch