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62 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Reinforcement Learning and Quantum Decoding | Vlad Sivak Google Quantum AI
3 november 2026 · 1 uur 42 min
How can reinforcement learning help quantum computers learn from their own errors? Lees meer
In this episode, Vlad Sivak, researcher at Google Quantum AI, joins us to discuss how reinforcement learning can improve quantum computing, from error correction and decoding to the calibration of quantum hardware. Sivak explains how reinforcement learning allows an AI agent to interact with a quantum system, learn from its errors, and discover how to improve its performance without being explicitly told which actions to take.
We explore how quantum error correction works, why decoding error syndromes is such a challenging problem, and how machine learning can help quantum computers adapt to changing error patterns. Sivak describes his team's work using reinforcement learning to dynamically adjust the weights of a quantum error-correction decoder, allowing it to make better-informed decisions as the properties of the hardware change over time. We also discuss why conventional optimization methods can struggle with quantum systems that are high-dimensional, stochastic, and constantly drifting.
Sivak explains how reinforcement learning can improve quantum hardware calibration by compensating for unknown effects that traditional, model-based approaches may miss. Rather than stopping a quantum computer to run dedicated calibration experiments, the long-term vision is to use the stream of error signals generated during computation to continuously update the system's control parameters. This could eventually allow quantum computers to adapt to hardware drift while continuing to operate.
Beyond quantum computing, we discuss the broader potential of reinforcement learning as a paradigm for autonomous discovery. From AlphaGo's unexpected strategies to recent advances in mathematical reasoning and programming, Sivak explores how systems can learn by experimenting, evaluating outcomes, and discovering solutions for themselves. We examine the challenges of scaling reinforcement learning, the…
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Where Does Intelligence Live? | Michael Levin on Evolution, AI, and Platonic Space
20 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 28 min
What is intelligence, and where does it come from? Lees meer
Watch Part 1 here: https://youtu.be/t6EFV2gSSmg?si=VIztbK2CM5Nwj7QA
In this episode, Michael Levin, professor of biology at Tufts University, returns to discuss his research into unconventional intelligence, the origins of cognition, and the surprising ways that biological systems solve problems. Building on his work with xenobots and anthrobots, Levin explores how new forms of intelligence can emerge in engineered biological systems and why understanding these systems may require us to rethink the relationship between evolution, learning, and agency.
We discuss Levin’s concept of "Platonic space": the idea that mathematical truths and other patterns may exist independently of the physical world. Levin proposes that biological organisms, artificial intelligence systems, and engineered machines may act as interfaces through which these patterns can take form. This raises fundamental questions about whether intelligence is something we build, something we discover, or something that becomes accessible when we create the right conditions.
Levin also describes research showing that gene regulatory networks can exhibit learning behaviors, including habituation, sensitization, and Pavlovian conditioning. These findings suggest that learning and problem-solving may occur at levels of biological organization that are often overlooked. We explore how collective systems can acquire capabilities that no individual component possesses, and how this relates to the concept of causal emergence: the idea that a system can have properties and capacities beyond those of its parts.
From xenobots and bioelectricity to hybrid biological systems and AI, we examine how engineered systems can display unexpected behaviors that challenge conventional explanations based on natural selection alone. Levin discusses the possibility of developing tools to detect, communicate with, and harness unconventional forms of intelligence, as well as…
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AI, Cancer Vaccines, and the Future of Personalized Medicine | Sid Sijbrandij on GitLab + Biotech
6 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 41 min
Can AI help design personalized cancer vaccines? Lees meer
Visit Future of Cancer Care Today: https://sijbrandijfoundation.org/fcct
In this episode, we speak with Sid Sijbrandij, founder of GitLab who went "Founder Mode" against his own cancer. Sid discusses personalized cancer vaccines, tumor sequencing, immunotherapy, and the challenge of making cutting-edge cancer treatments accessible to patients outside traditional clinical trials.
We explore how personalized mRNA cancer vaccines work, from sequencing a tumor and identifying mutations that distinguish cancer cells from healthy cells to selecting tumor-specific antigens that can be encoded into an mRNA vaccine. Sid explains why this approach is fundamentally different from conventional chemotherapy and why engaging the patient's own immune system could give immunotherapies the potential to produce durable or even curative responses.
Sid also describes his own experience combining multiple experimental treatment modalities, including personalized mRNA vaccines, immunotherapies, and radioligand therapy. He explains how radioligands can use molecular binders to selectively deliver radiation to tumor tissue, and how modifying the tumor microenvironment may make cancers more susceptible to subsequent immune therapies.
We also discuss why personalized cancer vaccines remain difficult and expensive to manufacture. In melanoma, recent clinical trials have demonstrated that individualized mRNA vaccines can target dozens of tumor-specific antigens, with surprisingly little overlap between patients. This creates a fundamentally different manufacturing problem from producing a conventional drug at scale: every patient's vaccine may need to be designed and manufactured separately.
Finally, Sid explains his effort to make these technologies more accessible through a network of biotech companies. He describes the economics and logistics of producing personalized cancer vaccines, including his experience reducing the time and cost…
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Building Quantum Computers at Semiconductor Scale | John Martinis on Qolab + Superconducting Qubits
22 september 2026 · 2 uur 4 min
What does it actually take to build a quantum computer that can scale to millions of qubits? Lees meer
Learn more about Qolab here: https://qolab.ai/
In this episode, we speak with John Martinis, recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics. Martinis is a pioneer in superconducting quantum computing and led the team of engineers at Google Quantum AI during the development of their Sycamore chip, which was the first to demonstrate “Quantum Supremacy,” the outperformance of a quantum computer compared to a classical supercomputer.
John is now the co-founder of Qolab, a company developing new approaches to building scalable superconducting quantum circuits. Martinis discusses why scaling quantum computers is fundamentally an engineering and manufacturing problem, and why the next generation of quantum hardware may require rethinking how the chips themselves are designed and fabricated.
We explore the challenges of building superconducting qubits, from fabrication and packaging to control electronics, wiring, power dissipation, and the subtle imperfections that can determine whether a quantum chip works at all. Martinis explains why adding more qubits is not simply a matter of making existing systems larger. At the scale of hundreds of thousands or millions of qubits, every component has to work together, and improvements in one part of the system can create new problems somewhere else.
Martinis describes the philosophy behind Qolab and its effort to develop a fundamentally different architecture for scalable quantum computing. Rather than simply pushing existing approaches forward, Qolab is trying to remake the individual elements of the system and integrate them in new ways. We discuss wafer-scale fabrication, the challenges of connecting and controlling large numbers of superconducting qubits, and why the manufacturing techniques used to build modern semiconductor chips could be important for the future of quantum computing.
We also discuss the practical engineering les…
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Diffraction Limit, Microscopy, and Cell Biology | Eric Betzig on Super-Resolution Microscopy
8 september 2026 · 2 uur 40 min
What does a cell actually look like when you can see its molecules in action? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Nobel Prize-winning scientist Eric Betzig, whose pioneering work in super-resolution microscopy transformed our ability to see inside living cells. Betzig recounts his decades-long effort to overcome the diffraction limit of light microscopy, from his early work in near-field microscopy to the development of PALM and his eventual focus on watching biological processes unfold in living cells.
We explore why the familiar picture of the cell in biology textbooks may be fundamentally misleading. Much of cell biology has been built by combining observations from biochemistry, molecular biology, and structural biology to construct models of how molecules interact. But, as Betzig explains, we have historically had very little direct information about the spatial organization and dynamics of these molecules inside a living cell. When he and his colleagues used single-molecule microscopy to watch transcription factors in real time, they found that proteins believed to form stable complexes were instead binding to DNA for only a few seconds, forcing them to reconsider how transcription actually works.
We discuss the diffraction limit, why conventional light microscopes cannot resolve structures at the scale of individual proteins, and how super-resolution microscopy made it possible to study molecular processes with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. Betzig also explains why imaging living cells can reveal dynamics that are invisible in fixed samples.
Betzig describes his ambitious Cell Observatory project, which combines automated microscopy, large-scale biological experiments, and artificial intelligence to study the enormous complexity of living cells. Rather than trying to build a “virtual cell” from incomplete measurements, he argues that biology first needs to observe these systems at a much larger scale and turn the resulting data into genuine u…
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The Hybrid Architecture Behind Quantum Computing | Yonatan Cohen Quantum Machines CTO
18 augustus 2026 · 1 uur 52 min
Why is controlling a quantum hardware becoming one of the biggest challenges in scaling quantum computers? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Yonatan Cohen, co-founder and CTO of Quantum Machines, a company developing advanced control systems for quantum computers. Cohen explains how quantum control sits at the interface between quantum hardware and classical computing, and why this hybrid architecture will become increasingly important as quantum processors scale.
We explore how quantum computers are controlled using precise microwave signals and pulse sequences, the limitations of conventional arbitrary waveform generators, and how Quantum Machines uses FPGA-based pulse processing units to generate waveforms in real time. We also discuss why low-latency classical processing and real-time feedback are essential for calibrating quantum processors, correcting errors, and implementing increasingly complex quantum algorithms.
Cohen explains what changes when moving from small quantum processors to thousands or millions of qubits, including the challenges of data movement, power consumption, control-channel density, and latency. We also discuss quantum error correction, feed-forward operations, hybrid quantum-classical architectures, and the role of CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs in stabilizing large-scale quantum systems.
We also discuss the origins of Quantum Machines, the company's approach to quantum control, and why building scalable quantum computers requires much more than simply increasing the number of qubits.
Whether you're interested in quantum computing, quantum control, quantum error correction, computer architecture, FPGA technology, or the future of fault-tolerant quantum computers, this episode provides a deep technical look at the control infrastructure required to make large-scale quantum computing possible.
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How DNA Sequencing Was Discovered By Accident | Walter Gilbert on Biogen, Industry, and Art
4 augustus 2026 · 2 uur 9 min
How did we go from knowing almost nothing about genes to sequencing the entire human genome? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist Walter Gilbert, whose discoveries helped lay the foundation for modern genomics. Gilbert recounts his remarkable journey from theoretical physics into biology, where he helped discover messenger RNA, uncovered the molecular mechanisms of gene regulation, invented one of the first practical methods for sequencing DNA, and later co-founded Biogen, one of the world's first biotechnology companies.
We explore the race to understand how genes work, the search for the elusive lac repressor, how a chance experiment led to the invention of DNA sequencing, and why Gilbert believed decades in advance that sequencing the human genome would transform biology into an information science. He explains the origins of the Human Genome Project, the rise of computational biology, and why today's era of AI-driven genomics was already visible in the earliest DNA sequence databases.
We also discuss the RNA World hypothesis, how life may have begun with self-replicating RNA molecules, the evolution of gene regulation, exon shuffling, the origins of protein domains, recombinant DNA technology, the birth of the biotechnology industry through Biogen, and how scientific revolutions often emerge from unexpected experiments.
Finally, Gilbert reflects on creativity in both science and art, explaining why, after a lifetime of pioneering discoveries, he left the laboratory to pursue digital abstract art.
Whether you're interested in DNA sequencing, the Human Genome Project, molecular biology, biotechnology, computational biology, the origin of life, RNA World, gene regulation, genomics, or the history of modern biology, this episode offers a firsthand account from one of the scientists who helped build the field.
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How Bacteria Evolved Rotary Motors | Michael Manson
21 juli 2026 · 3 uur 26 min
How do bacteria power one of the most sophisticated molecular machines in nature? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Michael Manson, one of the pioneers of bacterial motility research, whose nearly 50-year career has helped uncover how the bacterial flagellar motor works. From the first experiments proving that bacterial flagella rotate to the latest breakthroughs in cryo-EM and single-molecule biology, Manson tells the story of how scientists finally solved the mechanism behind a real working biological motor.
We explore how bacteria move through chemotaxis using a biased random walk, why E. coli alternates between running and tumbling, and how individual molecules can control the direction of a spinning flagellum. Manson explains the experiments that showed proton motive force powers the flagellar motor, how the motor’s rotor and stator generate torque, why it can reverse direction almost instantly, and how bacteria adapt to changing environments by dynamically adjusting their molecular machinery.
We also discuss ATP synthase, proton gradients, molecular motors, bacterial genetics, cryo-electron microscopy, ion channels, self-assembling protein complexes, nanomachines, and the history of the discoveries that transformed modern microbiology.
Whether you’re interested in the bacterial flagellar motor, molecular biology, biophysics, microbiology, ATP synthase, chemotaxis, molecular machines, or the fundamental physics of life, this week we go deep into one of biology’s most remarkable inventions.
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The Atomic Physics Behind Neutral Atom Computers | Mark Saffman
30 juni 2026 · 1 uur 23 min
Why are so many companies betting on neutral atoms to build the first useful quantum computers? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Mark Saffman, professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and one of the pioneers of neutral atom quantum computing. Over the past two decades, Saffman has helped transform Rydberg atoms from a theoretical idea into one of the leading architectures for scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing.
We explore the physics of optical tweezers and Rydberg blockade, how neutral atoms perform quantum logic and create entanglement, and why this platform offers unique advantages in connectivity and scalability. Saffman also discusses the engineering challenges of improving gate fidelity, implementing quantum error correction, and scaling from small laboratory experiments to processors containing millions of qubits.
We also discuss the origins of companies like Infleqtion, the rapid growth of the neutral atom ecosystem, and what it will take for quantum computers to solve meaningful scientific and industrial problems.
Whether you're interested in quantum computing, atomic physics, quantum error correction, computer architecture, or the future of information processing, this episode provides a deep technical look at one of the most promising paths toward practical quantum computers.
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Silicon Photonics and the Future of AI Scaling | John Bowers
16 juni 2026 · 1 uur 39 min
Why are some of the world's largest technology companies betting on silicon photonics? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with John Bowers, professor at UC Santa Barbara and one of the pioneers of silicon photonics, about the technologies that are transforming AI infrastructure and modern data centers. Bowers explains why moving data has become one of the central challenges in computing, how optical communication is overcoming the limitations of traditional electrical interconnects, and why light is increasingly being used to connect processors, servers, and entire data centers.
We explore the origins of silicon photonics, from early optical communications research to the development of integrated photonic devices that can be manufactured using semiconductor processes. Bowers discusses the engineering challenges of combining lasers with silicon, the breakthroughs that enabled heterogeneous integration, and how decades of research helped turn silicon photonics into a commercial technology deployed at global scale.
We examine the growing demands of artificial intelligence, where the movement of information between processors has become just as important as computation itself. Bowers explains why bandwidth, power consumption, and interconnect density are emerging as critical bottlenecks for AI systems, and how optical links are enabling the next generation of large-scale computing architectures.
We also discuss data center networking, optical interconnects, co-packaged optics, heterogeneous integration, semiconductor manufacturing, photonic integrated circuits, telecommunications, AI hardware, and the future of warehouse-scale computing. Throughout the episode, Bowers provides an inside look at how advances in photonics are reshaping the infrastructure that powers modern computing.
Whether you're interested in silicon photonics, optical communications, semiconductor engineering, computer architecture, AI hardware, data center design, networking, integrated photonics, elec…
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Bioelectricity, Morphogenesis, and Two-Headed Worms | Michael Levin
2 juni 2026 · 1 uur 27 min
How can a flatworm regenerate a complete head after being cut in half? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Michael Levin, developmental biologist and director of the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, about the emerging field of developmental bioelectricity. Levin explains how voltage gradients, ion channels, and gap junctions form a layer of biological control that operates alongside genetics and biochemistry to regulate embryonic development, regeneration, and anatomical patterning.
We explore the experimental foundations of bioelectricity research, including the use of voltage-sensitive dyes, ion channel manipulation, and computational models to read and write electrical information in living tissues. Levin discusses how bioelectric signals help establish left-right asymmetry in embryos, coordinate communication across developing tissues, and encode large-scale anatomical information that individual cells cannot possess on their own.
The conversation examines classic and surprising experiments from the field, including the creation of two-headed planarian worms, the induction of ectopic eyes in frog embryos, and the restoration of normal development after severe genetic and environmental disruptions. Levin explains how bioelectric circuits can act as a control architecture for morphogenesis, allowing tissues to make collective decisions about growth, form, and regeneration.
We also discuss voltage gradients, membrane potentials, gap junction networks, developmental pattern formation, regenerative medicine, collective cellular intelligence, and the relationship between electrophysiology and gene regulation. Throughout the episode, Levin argues that understanding development requires looking beyond genes alone to the dynamic electrical communication networks that coordinate living systems across scales.
Whether you're interested in developmental biology, embryology, regeneration, electrophysiology, bioelectricity, morphogenesis, systems biology, ion chann…
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Quantum Architecture, QAOA, and Cancer Biomarkers | Fred Chong
19 mei 2026 · 2 uur
Are quantum computers changing the way we discover cancer treatments? Lees meer
In this episode, Misha and Yudong spoke with Fred Chong, Seymour Goodman Professor at the University of Chicago, about the future of quantum computer architecture and how quantum algorithms could eventually help solve real-world problems in medicine, optimization, and scientific computing.
Chong explains the transition from the NISQ era toward fault-tolerant quantum computing, why hardware-aware software design remains essential, and how compiler architectures, error correction, and quantum system design all interact across the full computing stack. The conversation explores the challenges of building scalable quantum machines, the tradeoffs between superconducting qubits, trapped ions, and neutral atoms, and why many quantum systems may ultimately function as specialized accelerators alongside classical computers.
We also discuss quantum optimization algorithms like QAOA and how Chong’s group is applying them to cancer biomarker discovery and treatment prediction. By analyzing complex multimodal biological data, including DNA, mRNA, and pathology imaging, these methods aim to uncover patterns that are difficult for conventional machine learning systems to identify without overfitting.
Along the way, Fred shares stories from the early days of supercomputing at Thinking Machines, the origins of his quantum research career, the founding of Super.tech, and his perspective on where quantum computing is genuinely making progress versus where hype still dominates the conversation.
Topics include quantum computing, QAOA, fault-tolerant quantum computing, quantum error correction, quantum compilers, NISQ systems, neutral atoms, superconducting qubits, quantum architecture, cancer biomarkers, biomedical optimization, hybrid quantum-classical systems, and the future of quantum software and hardware co-design.
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How Quantum Sensors Can Measure Single Electrons | Amir Yacoby
5 mei 2026 · 2 uur 1 min
How do you measure something as small as a single electron or map quantum behavior at the nanoscale? Lees meer
In this episode, Misha spoke with Amir Yacoby, professor at Harvard University, about the cutting edge of quantum sensing and the experimental tools redefining how we probe the quantum world.
Yacoby explains how physicists build ultra-sensitive detectors, from single-electron transistors to quantum dots and NV centers in diamond, that can measure charge, spin, and magnetic fields with extraordinary precision. These tools make it possible to study both strongly correlated systems, like those exhibiting the fractional quantum Hall effect, and isolated quantum systems used as qubits.
We explore how accidental discoveries in the lab can evolve into entirely new sensing techniques, including momentum-resolved tunneling and nanoscale imaging methods. The conversation also highlights how quantum sensors are enabling researchers to bridge two regimes: complex many-body systems and controllable quantum devices, opening the door to new insights in topological physics and quantum information processing.
Whether you're interested in quantum measurement, nanoscale imaging, or the future of quantum technologies, this episode offers a detailed look at how new instruments are driving discovery at the frontiers of physics.
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The Physics of Un-Hackable Face Recognition | Rob Devlin on Metalenz
21 april 2026 · 1 uur 14 min
How do you turn a flat piece of nanostructured material into a secure biometric sensor? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Rob Devlin, co-founder and CEO of Metalenz, about how metasurfaces are transforming optics and enabling a new generation of biosecure sensing. Devlin explains how engineers can control light at the subwavelength scale to replace bulky lens stacks with a single flat surface, and why the real breakthrough isn’t just miniaturization, but the ability to mass-produce optics in semiconductor fabs.
We explore how Metalenz scaled metasurfaces from academic prototypes into millions of devices, and what it takes to design optics for manufacturing. Devlin breaks down the transition from building one perfect device in a cleanroom to producing millions that all meet tight specifications.
The conversation focuses on polarization imaging as a new information channel in consumer devices. Unlike traditional cameras that capture only intensity and color, polarization reveals material properties. This enables a new approach to facial recognition that is both more secure and more compact than existing systems.
Rob also shares the story behind Metalenz, from its origins in a Harvard lab to partnerships with major semiconductor manufacturers, and how the company navigated the challenges of finding product-market fit, scaling fabrication, and building a new sensing stack from scratch.
Whether you’re interested in optics, nanofabrication, consumer electronics, or the future of biometric security, this episode explores how controlling light at the nanoscale is opening entirely new possibilities for sensing and identity verification.
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The Real Economics of Data Centers in Space | Starcloud CEO Philip Johnston
1 april 2026 · 1 uur 38 min
Are data centers in space physically possible, or just another overhyped idea? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Philip Johnston, CEO of Starcloud, about the technical and economic case for putting AI infrastructure in orbit. The idea has gone viral in recent months, drawing strong criticism from science communicators like Scott Manley, Kyle Hill, and Hank Green, but rarely with detailed engagement on the underlying assumptions.
We examine whether space-based data centers can compete with terrestrial infrastructure, and what constraints actually matter: energy generation, cooling, launch costs, and manufacturing at scale. Johnston walks through the core economic model behind Starcloud, including assumptions about SpaceX’s Starship, the cost of solar power in orbit, and why removing terrestrial constraints like land use, permitting, and energy storage could fundamentally change how compute is deployed.
We discuss the physics of radiative cooling in space, the challenges of operating GPUs in a radiation environment, and how orbital systems compare to Earth-based data centers in terms of efficiency and cost structure. The conversation also explores broader questions around AI’s growing energy demands, the limits of terrestrial infrastructure, and whether shifting compute off-world is a niche solution or a long-term inevitability.
Whether you’re interested in space technology, AI infrastructure, energy systems, or the economics of large-scale computing, this episode offers a detailed look at one of the most debated ideas in modern engineering, and a rare opportunity to hear its strongest arguments laid out in full.
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How To Make Quantum Algorithms Cheaper | Craig Gidney on Magic-State Factories, Resource Estimates
27 maart 2026 · 2 uur 4 min
How do you actually make quantum algorithms work on real hardware? Lees meer
Build your own quantum circuits in Crumble: https://algassert.com/crumble
In this episode, we speak with Craig Gidney of Google Quantum AI, whose work focuses on the practical realities of building fault-tolerant quantum computers. Gidney explains how seemingly small implementation choices, like how you perform arithmetic, can dominate the cost of entire quantum algorithms.
We explore why factoring small numbers like 15 in Shor's algorithm can be misleadingly easy, and why scaling to larger numbers requires dramatically more resources due to operations like modular multiplication. He breaks down how quantum circuits are often dominated by classical reversible logic, and why optimizing these routines is critical for making quantum computing viable.
The conversation covers quantum error correction, including why T gates are especially expensive, how magic state factories works, and how different hardware architectures change what “cost” even means. Gidney also explains how resource estimates for breaking cryptography have dropped by orders of magnitude and what drove those improvements.
We also dive into the tools he built, including Stim, Quirk, and Crumble, which help researchers simulate noise, visualize circuits, and track how errors propagate through complex systems. Gidney shares his unconventional path into the field, the role of intuition and tooling in discovery, and how software engineering shapes modern quantum research.
Whether you’re interested in quantum computing, error correction, cryptography, or the engineering challenges behind scalable quantum systems, this episode offers a clear and grounded look at what it really takes to turn quantum algorithms into reality.
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How Neurons Translate Electricity into Chemistry | Tom Südhof
10 maart 2026 · 1 uur 30 min
How do neurons convert electrical signals into chemical messages in under a millisecond? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Thomas Südhof, Stanford neuroscientist and Nobel laureate whose discoveries revealed the molecular machinery that allows neurons to communicate at synapses. Südhof explains how an electrical impulse traveling down a neuron triggers the rapid release of neurotransmitters, transforming an electrical signal into a chemical one that can be received by the next cell.
We explore the remarkable precision of synaptic transmission, including how calcium ions trigger vesicle fusion, how specialized proteins organize the release machinery, and why this entire process unfolds on the timescale of a single millisecond. Südhof walks us through the molecular components that make this possible, including the proteins that dock neurotransmitter-filled vesicles and control their release.
The conversation also examines how these discoveries reshaped modern neuroscience by revealing the fundamental mechanisms underlying neuronal communication. Südhof discusses how synapses operate as highly specialized molecular machines and how disruptions in synaptic signaling are linked to neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Whether you’re interested in neuroscience, synapses, brain signaling, neurotransmitters, or the molecular basis of thought, this episode offers a clear explanation of how neurons translate electricity into chemistry, and how this microscopic process makes brain communication possible
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How Engineers Solve “Impossible” Problems | Dan Gelbart
17 februari 2026 · 2 uur 4 min
How do engineers solve problems that seem to violate the laws of physics? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Dan Gelbart, a prolific inventor and precision engineer, about what it really means to work at the limits of physical law. From lasers and optical systems to ultra-precision manufacturing and semiconductor tools, Gelbart has spent decades designing systems where nanometers, noise, and nonlinearities matter, and where small misunderstandings of physics can block real progress.
We discuss the story of the first working laser, built by Theodore Maiman, and why it succeeded only after questioning widely accepted assumptions. Gelbart explains how many “impossible” engineering problems aren’t forbidden by physics at all: they’re constrained by measurement errors, incomplete models, or failure to explore edge cases like pulsed operation, material effects, and boundary conditions.
We explore precision metrology, high-resolution imaging for satellite systems, the culture of engineering education, and the difference between a true physical limit and a design constraint. Gelbart reflects on why mastering fundamentals, mechanics, optics, electromagnetism, matters more than chasing trends, and how breakthroughs often come from carefully re-examining what others assume cannot be done.
Whether you’re interested in physics, engineering, semiconductor manufacturing, lasers, or the philosophy of technological innovation, this conversation offers a rigorous look at how engineers operate at the edge of what nature allows, and sometimes push beyond what others think is possible.
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How Visual Experience Rewires the Brain | Mark Bear on Neuroplasticity
3 februari 2026 · 1 uur 56 min
How does experience rewire the brain—and why is vision the ideal system for understanding neuroplasticity? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Mark Bear, MIT neuroscientist and a pioneer in the study of experience-dependent plasticity. Bear explains how the visual cortex became a model system for uncovering the synaptic mechanisms that allow the brain to change, adapt, and learn, especially during early development.
We explore how visual experience shapes neural circuits, why the brain undergoes critical periods of heightened plasticity, and what classic experiments in visual deprivation revealed about how connections are strengthened or lost. Bear walks us through the discovery of binocular vision in the cortex, the role of inhibition in closing critical periods, and how these ideas reshaped our understanding of learning and memory.
The conversation also covers modern views of cortical plasticity, including perceptual learning, visual recognition memory, and how the brain distinguishes familiar from novel stimuli. Bear discusses how insights from vision extend to broader questions about brain development, neurological disorders such as amblyopia, and whether adult plasticity can be reopened.
Whether you’re interested in neuroscience, brain development, neuroplasticity, learning and memory, or the biology of vision, this episode offers a clear and authoritative look at how experience shapes the brain at the level of neural circuits and synapses.
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Snell's Law, Metasurfaces, and Metalenses | Federico Capasso
20 januari 2026 · 2 uur 13 min
How can flat surfaces shape light as powerfully as bulky lenses? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Federico Capasso, Harvard physicist and pioneer of metasurfaces, metalenses, and nanophotonics. Capasso traces the path from his work at Bell Labs on quantum cascade lasers to the invention of metasurface optics, showing how a practical challenge—collimating light without traditional lenses—sparked a new way to control light.
We explore the physics behind metasurfaces and generalized Snell’s law, explaining how subwavelength structures enable precise control of wavefronts, phase, and polarization beyond what conventional diffractive optics or Fresnel lenses allow. Capasso clarifies common misconceptions, contrasts metasurfaces with diffraction gratings and phased arrays, and emphasizes the importance of physical intuition and simplicity.
The conversation covers metalenses, polarization optics, holography, and how these ideas moved from theory to large-scale manufacturing in semiconductor foundries, ultimately appearing in consumer devices like smartphones. Capasso also reflects on commercialization, the legacy of Bell Labs, and the blurred boundary between basic science and real-world technology.
Whether you’re interested in metasurfaces, metalenses, nanophotonics, optics, or the process behind breakthrough discoveries, this episode offers a clear and insightful look at how modern optical physics becomes transformative technology.
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Graphene, Nanotubes, and Quantum Hall Physics | Philip Kim
6 januari 2026 · 2 uur 47 min
How do electrons behave when they’re confined to a single layer, and why do entirely new laws of physics emerge when dimensions shrink? Lees meer
Papers discussed in this episode:
Experimental observation of the quantum Hall effect and Berry's phase in graphene: https://www.nature.com/articles/nature04235
Tunable Fractional Quantum Hall Phases in Bilayer Graphene: https://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2112
Room-Temperature Quantum Hall Effect in Graphene: https://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0702408In this episode, we speak with Philip Kim, Harvard physicist and a leading experimentalist in low-dimensional quantum materials. Kim traces the experimental path from high-temperature superconductors and charge-density waves to carbon nanotubes and the earliest graphene devices, revealing how advances in nanofabrication and quantum transport opened the door to modern 2D materials physics.
We dive deep into the Hall effect and quantum Hall effect, from their 19th-century origins to the discovery of quantized and fractional conductance, and explain why these effects were found experimentally before they were fully understood theoretically. Kim shares behind-the-scenes stories of early graphene experiments, mechanical exfoliation, Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations, and what it was like to be scooped by the work that launched graphene into the spotlight.
Along the way, we explore how disorder, dimensionality, and magnetic fields shape electronic behavior; why carbon nanotubes paved the way for graphene; and how many of the most important discoveries in condensed matter physics arise from intuition, timing, and new experimental tools.
Whether you’re interested in graphene, quantum transport, the quantum Hall effect, nanofabrication, superconductors, or the real stories behind breakthrough discoveries, this conversation offers a rare, technically rich look at how modern quantum materials research actually unfolds.
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Quantum Matter, Super-conductors, and Black Holes | Subir Sachdev on the SYK Model
23 december 2025 · 2 uur 35 min
What makes high-temperature superconductors and “strange metals” some of the most perplexing systems in modern physics? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Subir Sachdev: Harvard physicist and one of the leading architects of today’s understanding of quantum matter. Sachdev explains why strange metals refuse to behave like ordinary conductors, how quantum entanglement reshapes the landscape of many-body physics, and why the quest to understand cuprate superconductors continues to push both theory and experiment to their limits.
We explore the physics of the cuprate phase diagram, the collapse of quasiparticles, and the role of quantum criticality in creating universal, linear-in-temperature behavior. Sachdev walks us through the origins of the SYK model, its surprising connections to black-hole thermodynamics and holography, and how new lattice-based models may finally bridge the gap between solvable theory and real materials.
Whether you’re curious about superconductivity, quantum criticality, black-hole analogies, emergent gauge fields, or the deep physics behind strongly correlated electrons, this conversation offers a rare, accessible look at how frontier theoretical work is redefining our picture of quantum matter—from the lab bench to the edge of spacetime.
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Website: https://www.632nm.comTimestamps:
01:22 - Subir’s Path to Condensed Matter Phy… -
How to Build Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computers | Austin Fowler on Surface Codes + TQEC
9 december 2025 · 1 uur 50 min
Would we get a quantum computer sooner if everything was open source? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Austin Fowler, one of the architects of quantum error correction and a pioneer of the surface code used in today’s leading quantum computers. Fowler helped lay the groundwork for scalable, fault-tolerant computation at Google Quantum AI, before leaving to advocate for a more open and collaborative model of research.
He explains why building a useful quantum computer will require millions of reliable qubits, why no known algorithm yet clearly outperforms classical computation, and why the field’s current competitive funding model may be slowing progress instead of accelerating it. From the engineering challenges of superconducting qubits to the economics of global research, Fowler offers a candid, inside look at the state of quantum technology.
We explore the history and promise of quantum error correction, the software bottlenecks that still stand in the way, and how an open-source, international approach — modeled on CERN or the International Space Station — could transform the field. Along the way, Fowler reflects on his time at Google, the importance of collaboration, and what it will really take to make quantum computing practical.
Whether you’re interested in quantum hardware, physics, computer science, or research policy, this conversation reveals the technical, ethical, and economic realities behind one of today’s most ambitious scientific pursuits.
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Why Syncing Atomic Clocks is Virtually Impossible | Judah Levine on UTC
26 november 2025 · 2 uur 4 min
Why is syncing atomic clocks still one of the hardest problems in physics and engineering? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Judah Levine—legendary NIST physicist and one of the key architects of modern timekeeping—about the invisible systems that hold the digital world together. Levine explains why synchronizing atomic clocks across the planet is far more complex than the clocks themselves, and why seemingly simple ideas like “round-trip delay” break down in real-world media such as fiber optics and the internet.
We explore how UTC is built from hundreds of atomic clocks, the difference between keeping time and *transferring* time, and the surprising challenges introduced by asymmetric delays, chromatic dispersion, and environmental noise. Levine walks us through the evolution of cesium clocks, the rise of optical clocks, and the technologies that make GPS, finance, power grids, and global communication possible.
Along the way, we discuss the history of time synchronization, from railroad schedules to radio frequencies to modern satellite systems; the ongoing debate over leap seconds; and why the future of precision timing depends not just on better clocks, but on better *engineering* to deliver those clocks’ performance to the real world.
Whether you’re curious about atomic clocks, relativity, fiber optics, GPS, the structure of time itself, or the hidden physics behind everyday technology, this conversation offers a rare look at how science, engineering, and careful statistical thinking keep modern civilization in sync—down to the nanosecond.
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Can We Predict History Like the Weather? | Peter Turchin on Cliodynamics
4 november 2025 · 1 uur 18 min
Why do civilizations rise, prosper, and then collapse? Here's what the math tells us. Lees meer
In this episode, we sit down with Peter Turchin, complexity scientist and founder of the field of cliodynamics, which uses data and mathematical models to study the long-term cycles of history. Turchin explains his theory of elite overproduction, how societies generate too many ambitious, educated elites competing for too few positions, and why this dynamic reliably leads to polarization, inequality, and political turmoil.
We explore how his structural-demographic theory maps the recurring “boom and bust” rhythms that have shaped civilizations from ancient Rome to modern America, the role of military competition in driving cooperation and social complexity, and how new tools—from AI-assisted historical databases to ancient DNA and LiDAR—are transforming the study of the past.
Whether you’re drawn to history, sociology, complexity science, or the fate of modern democracies, this conversation reveals how Turchin’s quantitative approach offers a new way to understand—and maybe even forecast—the forces that make societies rise and fall.
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6OR
Website: https://www.632nm.comTimestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:48 - Overproduction of Elites
10:56 - Did Models Predict the Rise of Trump?
20:43 - Is Russian History Repeating in the US?
26:48 - How Competition Stabilizes Societies
32:14 - … -
Why Do Quantum Computers Make So Many Mistakes? | Mikhail Lukin on Quantum Error Correction
21 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 1 min
You can’t copy a qubit. So how do quantum computers remember anything? Lees meer
In this episode, we sit down with Mikhail Lukin, Harvard physicist and co-director of the Harvard Quantum Initiative, whose lab is building quantum computers from arrays of individually trapped atoms. Lukin explains the paradox of quantum error correction—how you can safeguard quantum information even though it can’t be copied or measured directly—and why this breakthrough may be the key to making large-scale quantum computers possible.
We dive into the strange logic of superposition, entanglement, and “small cat states,” explore what makes quantum evolution inherently analog, and learn how Lukin’s team uses optical tweezers and Rydberg interactions to engineer stable, reconfigurable qubits—atoms literally held and moved by light.
Whether you’re fascinated by quantum mechanics, computing, Schrödinger’s cat, or the future of information, this conversation reveals how physicists are turning the weirdness of quantum physics into working technology—and why building a fault-tolerant quantum computer is one of the hardest and most exciting challenges in science today.
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Website: https://www.632nm.comTimestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:32 - Fundamentals of Quantum Computers
04:09 - Transistors vs Quantum Gates
10:07 - What is Quantum Error Correction?
14:23 - State of the Art QEC
22:19 - Quantum R… -
We Interviewed the Winners of the Ig Nobel Prize | Ig Nobel 2025
9 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 6 min
The scientific stories behind this year's research that made people LAUGH, then THINK. Lees meer
Watch the 2025 Ig Nobel Ceremony here: https://youtu.be/z1cP4xKd_L4
In this episode, we bring together three of this year’s Ig Nobel winners whose research spans psychology, food science and human biology. You’ll hear how a team of psychologists devised a counter-intuitive way to boost a narcissist’s self-confidence; how two physicists uncovered the “mozzarella phase” of pecorino cheese while perfecting cacio e pepe; and how a group studying lactation discovered that garlic changes breast-milk’s aroma and baby behavior.
We explore the playful setups, surprising results and serious science behind each project, and how curiosity, humor and a dash of persistence turned ordinary questions into prize-winning research.
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Website: https://www.632nm.comTimestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:19 - Physics Prize: Cacio e Pepe Sauce
30:40 - Pediatrics Prize: Garlic Breast Milk
44:48 - Psychology Prize: How to Boost Narcissism#ignobel2025 #cacioepepe #pastasauce #thermodynamics #psychology #dairy #pecorino
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What Science can Learn from Startups | Adam Marblestone on Focused Research Organizations
7 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 41 min
Science has stalled. And Adam Marblestone thinks he knows why. Lees meer
Check out the Research Gap Map here: https://www.gap-map.org/?sort=rank
In this episode, we sit down with Adam Marblestone, neuroscientist, nanotechnologist, and founder of Convergent Research, to explore how new “Focused Research Organizations” (FROs) could reignite scientific progress. From DNA “ticker-tape” neural recording to optical connectomics and Neuralink, Marblestone explains how emerging neurotechnologies reveal both the brilliance and the bottlenecks of today’s research system.
We discuss why traditional funding often fails to support ambitious, interdisciplinary projects, how FROs borrow the focus and speed of startups to build scientific infrastructure, and why projects like OpenAI, E11 Bio, and ultrasound-on-a-chip exemplify this new model. Marblestone breaks down his “Gap Map” of unsolved scientific challenges - from room-temperature superconductors to artificial ribosomes - and does the math on how tens of billions of dollars could close them.
Whether you’re fascinated by neuroscience, scientific innovation, or the future of research itself, this conversation offers a rare insider’s look at how new institutions could rebuild the engine of discovery—and why the next wave of breakthroughs might depend more on organization than on ideas.
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Website: https://www.632nm.comTimesta…
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What Optical Atomic Clocks Tell Us About Space-Time | Jun Ye
23 september 2025 · 1 uur 53 min
Times have changed. And cesium clocks can't keep up. Lees meer
In this episode, we sit down with Jun Ye, Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics (JILA) Fellow and pioneer of optical lattice clocks, whose work has pushed timekeeping far beyond traditional cesium atomic clocks. Ye explains how combining ultra-stable lasers, frequency combs, and ultra-cold atoms produces clocks more than 100× more precise than today’s standards: so sensitive they can detect gravitational time dilation across the width of a human hair.
We explore how this next generation of atomic clocks may open windows onto gravitational waves, test Einstein’s relativity in new regimes, and even help build a GPS for space travel. Ye also shares his personal journey from growing up during China’s Cultural Revolution to becoming a leader in precision measurement, and what that experience taught him about resilience, mentorship, and protecting scientific inquiry.
Whether you’re curious about time, relativity, quantum physics, GPS technology, or the frontiers of precision measurement, this conversation offers a rare insider’s look at how breakthroughs in timekeeping can lead to entirely new physics.
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Website: https://www.632nm.comTimestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:17 - Why Haven't Optical Clocks Replaced Cesium Clocks?
10:45 - Fundamentals of Optical Atomic Clocks
17:34 - History of Atomic Clocks
30:1… -
Laser Cooling and Quantum Timekeeping | Bill Phillips
9 september 2025 · 2 uur 24 min
How did cooling atoms with lasers revolutionize our understanding of time? Lees meer
In this episode, we speak with Bill Phillips, Nobel Laureate in Physics, about his groundbreaking work on laser cooling and trapping of atoms: research that not only won him the Nobel Prize but also transformed modern timekeeping and technology. Phillips explains why breaking the Doppler cooling limit changed physics forever and what it means that today’s clocks can measure time differences caused by moving a device just a few millimeters in Earth’s gravity.
We discuss the history of timekeeping from sundials to atomic clocks, how Einstein’s relativity reshaped our view of time, and the serendipitous discovery of sub-Doppler cooling that opened the door to ultra-precise measurement, quantum computing, and fundamental tests of nature. Along the way, Phillips reflects on the culture of physics, the importance of mentorship, and the joy of discovery.
Whether you’re curious about time, relativity, quantum physics, GPS technology, or the frontiers of precision measurement, this conversation offers rare insight into how science, collaboration, and curiosity converge to shape the modern world.
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Website: [https://www.632nm.com](https://www.632nm.com/)Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:43 - What is Time?
05:49 - How Did Bill Get Into Atom Cooling?
18:30 - How Do Atomic Clocks Actually Work?… -
Inside the Battle for Psychedelic Therapy | Rick Doblin
26 augustus 2025 · 2 uur 38 min
What does it take to turn a banned psychedelic into an FDA-approved medicine? Lees meer
Visit MAPS to read about the latest progress is psychedelic research: https://maps.org/
In this episode, we speak with Rick Doblin, founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), about the decades-long mission to make MDMA-assisted therapy a legal treatment for PTSD and other mental health conditions. Rick received his PhD from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government in public policy focusing on the regulation of medical use of psychedelics in 2001. Rick shares the science behind MDMA’s therapeutic effects, the strategy for winning over regulators, and the battles over claims of neurotoxicity. We discuss the history of psychedelic research, the rise of the underground therapy movement, and how clinical trials, policy change, and cultural perception must align to move psychedelics from stigma to science.
Whether you’re curious about psychedelic science, drug policy reform, FDA clinical trials, or the future of mental health treatment, this conversation delivers expert insight into the intersection of research, regulation, and real-world impact.
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Website: [https://www.632nm.com](https://www.632nm.com/)Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:32 - How Would Rick Describe a Psychedelic Experience?
05:02 - What is Rick's Favorite Psychedelic?
09:46 - The Underg… -
Biology's Biggest Chicken and Egg Problem | Jacob Fine
12 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 31 min
Life’s First Blueprint Wasn’t DNA; it was RNA. Lees meer
Read Jacob Fine’s latest publication here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022283625001901
Today we spoke with Jacob Fine, graduate student researcher in Computational Biology from the University of Toronto. We explore the physics of replication, the role of entropy and information theory, and how modern biology is reconnecting with theory to understand the most fundamental question in science. Our conversation takes place in a Russian sauna, where the hot and humid environment mimics some of the conditions needed for life to begin.
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6OR
Website: https://www.632nm.comTimestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:22 - What does any theory of the origin of life need to explain?
04:09 - When did people begin researching the origin of life?
06:51 - Competing theories of the origin of life
11:00 - The RNA world hypothesis
21:38 - Biological vs computational error
24:58 - Origin of life is the origin of information
33:30 - Without error, there would be no life
36:07 - Early compartmentalization mechanisms
47:26 - What do we need to prove theories on the origin of life?
57:23 - What makes a useful model for biology?
1:04:44 - What inspired Jacob to investigate the origin of life?
1:09:45 - Jacob's favorite theories for the origin of life
1:11:58 - Do we need a Manhattan project to discover the origin of life?
1:1… -
The Final Interview with MIT Physicist Keith Johnson
5 augustus 2025 · 2 uur 16 min
One of Keith Johnson’s final interviews: a brilliant mind on dark matter, water, and fusion. Lees meer
Read about Keith’s legacy here: https://news.mit.edu/2025/keith-johnson-materials-scientist-independent-filmmaker-dies-0723
This episode is one of the final recorded conversations with MIT physicist Keith Johnson, who passed away just weeks after our interview. In this conversation, he unpacks his early research on the quantum structure of matter, his cold fusion theories, and how it all led to a screenplay about a young female physicist. Johnson also suggests a radical idea: water clusters in space might explain some aspects of dark matter. A one-of-a-kind interview that blends science, art, and speculation.
We’re honored to share this glimpse into Keith’s remarkable intellect, creativity, and curiosity. May his legacy continue to inspire.
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/632nm/about/
Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Follow our hosts!
Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin
Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6OR
Website: https://www.632nm.com
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:03- Early Life and Education
03:27 - Graduate Studies and Research Funding
05:44 - Postdoctoral Work and Quantum Chemistry
09:45 - Starting at MIT and Collaborations
15:05 - Cold Fusion and Film Making
23:38 - Keith's First Screenplay
28:55 - Filming a Movie at MIT
43:50 - Water Clusters and Quantum Energy
53:54 - Is Cold Fusion Possible?
1:07:13 - Challenges in Fusion Energy
1:12:09 - Advice for Young Scientists
APPENDIX:
1:15:42 - Water Mig…
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How We Build Telescopes to Explore the Early Cosmos | Brian Keating
29 juli 2025 · 1 uur 44 min
Did the Big Bang really happen? Telescopes, dark matter & cosmic origins explored. Lees meer
Join cosmologist Brian Keating as we explore the mysteries of the universe, from building telescopes at the South Pole to measuring the polarization of the cosmic microwave background and chasing signs of gravitational waves. We discuss Galileo’s influence, cosmic inflation, and how the Nobel Prize could be changed to better reflect the way we do science.
Follow us for more technical interviews with the world’s greatest scientists:
Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/632nmpodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/632nm/about/
Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin
Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6OR
Website: https://www.632nm.com
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Quantum Complexity: Scott Aaronson on P vs NP and the Future
16 juli 2025 · 2 uur 2 min
In this episode of the 632nm podcast, Scott Aaronson shares his early fascination with calculus at age 11 and how “rediscovering” old mathematics led him toward groundbreaking work in complexity theory. He gives a lucid explanation of P vs NP, revealing how seemingly trivial questions about verifying solutions speak to some of the deepest unsolved problems in all of computing. Lees meer
Aaronson also explores the frontiers of quantum computing, from the nuances of quantum supremacy experiments to the idea of quantum money and certified randomness. He explains how amplitudes—rather than straightforward probabilities—unlock powerful interference effects, yet still face limits imposed by measurement. The conversation concludes with a look at the future of fault-tolerant quantum computers and the possibility that we’ve finally reached the ultimate horizon of computability—unless nature has even stranger surprises in store.
02:01 Early Fascination with Mathematics
05:10 Exploring Complexity Theory
09:10 Understanding P vs NP
22:38 The Significance of P vs NP in Cryptography and AI
35:04 Mapping Problems and NP Completeness
38:37 Quantum Computing and BQP
41:41 Shor's Algorithm and Cryptography
45:39 Simulating Quantum Systems
52:04 Digital vs Analog Quantum Computers
58:18 Grover's Algorithm and Quantum Speedup
01:02:04 Challenges in Quantum Algorithm Development
01:06:41 Beam Splitter Networks and Quantum Sampling
01:15:22 Quantum Computing and Information Storage
01:17:24 Shor's Algorithm and Factoring Numbers
01:20:56 Google's Quantum Supremacy Demonstration
01:49:19 Quantum Money and Unclonable Cash
01:57:15 The Future of Quantum ComputingFollow us:
Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcast
Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYinSubscribe:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269
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Science Memes, Epigenetic Inheritance, and Rethinking Peer Review
24 juni 2025 · 1 uur 33 min
In this episode of the 632nm podcast, we explore cutting-edge ideas in epigenetics and academic publishing. Oded Rechavi reveals how C. elegans worms defy conventional genetics by passing on traits through small RNAs, and discusses how these mechanisms might reshape our understanding of heredity. We also hear about a remarkable experiment hijacking Toxoplasma gondii—the so-called “cat parasite”—to deliver proteins into the brain, opening possible routes for new therapies. Lees meer
Beyond the lab, we explore problems with modern publishing, from glacial review timelines to flawed incentives that push quantity over quality. Learn how AI-driven solutions might speed up peer review, allow scientists to focus on what truly matters, and help keep the spark of curiosity alive.
02:33 The Journey of Memeing on Twitter
06:50 Frustrations with Scientific Publishing
13:36 AI in Scientific Reviews
23:57 The Joys and Challenges of Academia
28:25 The Dead Sea Scrolls Project
45:15 Exploring Epigenetic Processes
47:16 Advantages of C. Elegans in Research
51:45 Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance
57:07 Challenges in Human Epigenetic Research
01:08:58 Model Organisms in Scientific Research
01:14:50 Innovative Brain Parasite Research
01:22:11 The State of Academic Science
01:29:19 Balancing Science and Life in Israel
01:32:00 Improving the Scientific SystemFollow us:
Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcast
Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin
Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6OR
Website: https://www.632nm.com
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Quantum Diamond Sensing: The Surprising Power of NV Centers
6 juni 2025 · 2 uur 21 min
In this episode of the 632nm podcast, we explore how diamond-based nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers went from being a curiosity in gemstone physics to a transformative tool for precision magnetometry. You’ll hear how these tiny defects enable room-temperature quantum sensing, providing ultra-high spatial resolution and remarkable resilience in extreme conditions—from planetary research unlocking secrets of our solar system’s earliest days to potential biomedical diagnostics. Our guest recounts the serendipitous connections, engineering challenges, and surprising scientific discoveries along the way. Lees meer
We also discuss how interdisciplinary collaborations spark new ideas, how startups and academia differ in their pursuit of quantum breakthroughs, and why community-driven science can accelerate major scientific leaps.
00:42 The Fascination with Diamonds and NV Centers
02:58 Early Research and Collaborations
10:21 Breakthroughs and Applications in Science
50:48 Advancements in Magnetic Imaging
51:59 Commercial Applications of Quantum Diamond Microscopes
01:02:16 Challenges in Translating Research to Products
01:11:11 Future Prospects and Innovations
01:36:46 Exploring Quantum Systems and Defects
01:39:03 The Harvard Quantum Community
01:44:53 Precision Measurement and Quantum Applications
01:54:28 Advice for Aspiring Scientists*Follow us:*
Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcast
Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin*Subscribe:*
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6OR
Website: https://www.632nm.com -
Origin of Life, Thermodynamics, and God: Jeremy England
19 mei 2025 · 2 uur 19 min
In this episode, Jeremy England reframes the origin of life debate by applying non-equilibrium physics, challenging the notion that life’s emergence must be purely biological or chemical. He describes how matter can “learn” from its environment, drawing on examples from spin glasses, protein folding, and resonating mechanical systems. Lees meer
England also shares how his deep engagement with religious texts—and his unexpected cameo as “the next Darwin” in popular media—shaped his understanding of science and spirituality. From his ordination as a rabbi to his groundbreaking thermodynamic research, England offers a unique perspective on the interplay between faith, scientific inquiry, and the age-old search for meaning.
Chapters:
02:59 Jeremy's Journey into Biophysics
08:46 Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics
35:30 Dissipative Adaptation and Evolutionary Principles
44:34 The Evolution of Energy Consumption
51:35 Thermodynamics in Microbiomes and Ecology
57:18 Protein Folding and Cellular Computation
01:01:43 Origins of Life and Prebiotic Scenarios
01:26:02 Exploring Thermodynamic Constraints on Aging
01:31:48 Science, Religion, and the Infinite Regress
01:36:04 Jewish Law and Modern Materials
01:39:47 Torah's Approach to Existence
02:01:56 Moses' Signs and Worldview
02:09:03 Balancing Practicality and Spirituality
02:14:02 Advice for Aspiring ScientistsMore About Jeremy:
Twitter: Jeremy England (@lifelikephysics) / X
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Every-Life-Fire-Thermodynamics-Explains/dp/1541699017
Follow us:
Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcast
Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin
Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6OR
Website: https://www.632nm.com
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Flux Grant by 1517 Fund: Backing Garage Science and Sci-Fi Tech
10 mei 2025 · 47 min
In this episode of the 632nm podcast, we sit down with 1517 Fund’s Danielle Strachman and Michael Gibson to explore their Flux program, a unique pre-seed fellowship backing wild, unorthodox scientific and technical ideas. They share how they’ve helped founders transform “garage science” projects—like nuclear batteries, quantum computing prototypes, and cutting-edge materials—into serious startups. Along the way, they discuss the pitfalls of chasing academic prestige, the power of genuine curiosity, and how to leverage minimal resources for big ambitions. Lees meer
We also learn about the flexibility of Flux’s “cannon launch” grants, what it takes to persuade investors when your idea sounds like sci-fi, and why “hyper-fluency” and high agency are crucial for founders. Whether you’re a postdoc itching to leave the lab or a solo tinkerer with a radical concept, this conversation offers actionable insights on securing early funding and taking that bold plunge into world-changing tech.
Our Guests:
Danielle Strachman: https://x.com/DStrachman
Michael Gibson: https://x.com/William_Blake
1517 Fund: https://t.co/Ltt0eiRJkz
Want to apply for Flux? https://t.co/O8b5C0f21s
Follow us:
Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcast
Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin
Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6OR
Website: https://www.632nm.com/
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Trapped Ion Quantum Computing: Christopher Monroe of IonQ
2 mei 2025 · 2 uur 25 min
In this episode of the 632nm podcast, our guest traces the evolution from the early days of Bose-Einstein condensation experiments to pioneering trapped ion quantum gateways. He reveals how breakthroughs in laser cooling and atomic clock research unexpectedly paved the way for the first quantum logic gates, beating out the BEC community at a pivotal conference. We also hear about the surprising roles of entanglement, error mitigation, and photonic interconnects in shaping modern quantum hardware. Lees meer
The conversation shifts to the commercial world, where government funding, venture capital, and startup challenges collide. Our guest shares insider stories about forming one of the first pure-play quantum computing companies, securing multi-million-dollar investments, and navigating the highs and lows of going public. From laser noise and integrated photonics to the promise of game-changing heuristic algorithms, this episode offers a rare look at both the science and business driving trapped ion quantum computing.
Chapters:
01:48 Journey into Trapped Ions
03:57 Early Career and Research at NIST
08:13 The Path to Bose-Einstein Condensate
11:32 Applications and Implications of BEC
22:05 Measuring Ultra-Low Temperatures
27:46 Advancements in Atomic Clocks
35:09 Challenges in Atomic Clock Precision
43:39 Historical Development of Quantum Computing
50:30 Early Experiments and Advances in Ion Traps
01:02:59 Understanding Dipole-Dipole Shifts in Quantum Systems
01:04:18 Initializing Qubits in Quantum Computing
01:09:05 Challenges in Scaling Quantum Computers
01:13:14 Fidelity and Error Correction in Quantum Gates
01:17:51 Laser Noise and Quantum Computing Limitations
01:35:08 Commercializing Quantum Computing: The IonQ Story
01:41:53 Bitcoin and Quantum Computing Threats
01:44:09 IonQ's Journey and Going Public
01:46:39 Quantum Computing Applications and Challenges
01:55:44 Quantum Hardware and Interconnects
02:21:01 Speculative Future of Quantum ComputingFollow us:
Twitte…
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Maintaining Moore's Law: Lithography, Semiconductors, and Chip Fabrication with Mordechai Rothschild
14 april 2025 · 2 uur 8 min
In this episode of the 632nm podcast, we explore how 193nm lasers unexpectedly overtook x-ray approaches and reshaped semiconductor manufacturing. Physicist Mordechai Rothschild describes the breakthroughs that turned a once “impossible” technology into the mainstay of chip fabrication, including the discovery of specialized lenses, the invention of chemically amplified resists, and the game-changing flip to immersion lithography. We also hear candid insights on the race to push below 13.5 nanometers, where new ideas in plasma sources and advanced coatings might one day carry Moore’s Law even further. Lees meer
Dr. Mordechai Rothschild is a leading physicist and technologist at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, serving as Principal Staff in the Advanced Technology Division. He has been instrumental in advancing micro- and nanoscale systems, with significant contributions to 193-nm photolithography—a technology critical to modern semiconductor manufacturing. His work has earned him the 2014 SPIE Frits Zernike Award and the 2015 Edwin H. Land Medal. With over 220 publications and 16 patents, Rothschild's research spans metamaterials, microfluidics, and nanofabrication. He holds a BS in physics from Bar-Ilan University and a PhD in optics from the University of Rochester.
01:22 Early Days and Technological Challenges
08:54 The Role of Photoresist in Lithography
19:39 The Rise of X-ray Lithography
25:52 Global Competition and Geopolitics
28:45 Challenges and Future of Lithography
44:33 Introduction to Excimer Lasers
47:54 Applications of 193nm Lasers
49:41 Development of Reliable Laser Sources
58:38 Lens Aging and Material Challenges
01:01:10 Exploring Alternative Materials
01:07:41 Liquid Immersion Lithography
01:15:21 Engineering Complex Lithography Systems
01:23:43 Immersion Lithography Insights
01:24:33 Prototype to Foundry Adoption Timeline
01:25:41 Challenges in EUV Development
01:32:24 Personal Journey to Lincoln Lab
01:38:59 Exploring Advanced Lithography
01:57:26 Future of Moor… -
Quantum Cascade Lasers: Federico Capasso on Curiosity and Bell Labs
1 april 2025 · 1 uur 33 min
In this episode, physicist Federico Capasso recounts his winding path from struggling undergrad to pioneering inventor of the quantum cascade laser. He reveals how openness, daring ideas, and the bottom-up ethos at Bell Labs led to breakthroughs that redefined semiconductor research. Lees meer
Capasso also discusses the blurred lines between basic and applied science, the importance of nurturing curiosity, and the serendipitous moments that propelled his career. From avalanche photodiodes to metasurfaces to quantum biology, he offers a fascinating look at how big discoveries often begin with a simple spark of wonder.
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How Edison Inspired Eli Yablonovitch to Create Four World-Changing Inventions
14 maart 2025 · 3 uur 1 min
Eli Yablonovitch shares how Thomas Edison's approach of requiring "a thousand failed discoveries for every one that works" shaped his scientific philosophy. From solar cells to semiconductor lasers to photonic crystals to cell phone antennas, Yablonovitch reveals how each invention evolved from identifying fundamental physics concepts that others overlooked. He explains how his light-trapping concept now used in every solar panel stemmed from thinking about statistical mechanics. His strained semiconductor laser design, which initially faced industry resistance, eventually became the standard in all laser pointers and DVDs. Throughout his career spanning Bell Labs, Exxon, and academia, Yablonovitch demonstrates that true innovation comes from understanding basic physics principles and having the courage to pursue ideas others dismiss as impossible. Lees meer
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From Failed PhD to Nobel Prize | John Mather’s Journey to Revolutionize Astronomy
25 februari 2025 · 1 uur 54 min
Join the 632nm team as we sit down with Nobel laureate Dr. John Mather. From his childhood days of building radios and telescopes to leading NASA's groundbreaking COBE mission, learn how a spectacular failure during his PhD research unexpectedly paved the way for his Nobel Prize-winning work. And hear the story of how NASA took a chance on a 28-year-old scientist who would change our understanding of the universe. Lees meer
Dr. Mather shares insights into the engineering marvels behind modern space telescopes, including the James Webb Telescope's ingenious cooling system and the concept behind hybrid ground-space observatories. Hear details about near-mission failures, midnight revelations that saved COBE, and the surprising connection between space telescopes and stealth fighter technology.
Follow us:
Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcastSubstack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin
Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6OR
Website: https://www.632nm.com
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Hunting for Alien Artifacts | Avi Loeb
18 februari 2025 · 3 uur 37 min
Join the 632nm team as we sit down with Harvard Professor Avi Loeb, in this fascinating exploration of astronomy, alien life, and the intersection of science and politics. From discussing the mysterious interstellar object that changed astronomy to explaining why Mars might not be the best destination for human colonization, Loeb challenges conventional wisdom with evidence-based insights. His unique perspective, shaped by his journey from growing up on a farm in Israeli to becoming a leading Harvard scientist, reminds us to think from first principles about the universe’s biggest questions. Lees meer
The conversation illuminates the stories behind groundbreaking scientific discoveries, including the work of overlooked pioneers in astronomy, and seriously explores the potential existence of extraterrestrial intelligence. Loeb shares his vision for the Galileo Project, discusses the search for alien artifacts on Earth, and explains why artificial intelligence might be crucial in solving the Fermi Paradox.
00:00 Introduction and Opening Thoughts
00:34 Avi Loeb's Journey and Achievements
01:15 Science vs. Politics
05:49 Early Life and Philosophical Influences
16:57 Astrophysics and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
55:19 Breakthrough Initiatives: A Surreal Presentation
56:40 Stephen Hawking's Visit and Human Limitations
59:17 The Search for Intelligent Civilizations
01:02:09 The Future of Space Exploration
01:05:33 The Age of the Universe and Interstellar Objects
01:42:23 The Quest for Immortality: Leaving a Legacy
01:43:31 AI and Human Existence: A Philosophical Dive
01:45:57 Navigating Politics: A Scientist's Perspective
01:48:13 The Scientific Method: A Path to Truth
02:03:27 Galileo Project: Searching for Extraterrestrial Life
02:40:52 The Simplicity of Science
02:41:25 Exploring Oumuamua and the Galileo Project
02:45:24 The Quest for Interstellar Discoveries
02:48:35 The Origins of Life and the Universe
02:59:22 The Future of AI and HumanityFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:
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Are We Doomed? | Dan Aronovich on Norbert Wiener's 1948 “Cybernetics”
10 februari 2025 · 59 min
In this episode, the 632nm team sits down with Dan Aronovich (Data Science Decoded Podcast) to explore predictions about technology and society, starting with MIT pioneer Norbert Wiener's remarkably prescient warnings about AI from 1948. His concerns about artificial systems misinterpreting human instructions mirror modern discussions about AI alignment, while his skepticism of social sciences raises important questions about the limitations of studying human behavior. Lees meer
The conversation takes an unexpected turn as it delves into demographic forecasts that paint a striking picture of humanity's future. The discussion reveals how declining global fertility rates could lead to religious groups becoming demographically dominant, while technological advances might create a world populated by extremely long-lived humans augmented by robotics.
01:16 Exploring Norbert Wiener's Cybernetics
01:35 Main Claims of Cybernetics
03:14 Cybernetics in Different Cultures
04:06 Historical Context and AI Precursors
05:30 Wiener Filter and Signal Processing
10:16 Philosophical Insights and Social Implications
22:48 Analog vs Digital and Future of AI
31:56 Debunking Doom Predictions
32:13 AI and Digital Control
32:59 AI and Physical World Challenges
35:13 Future Societal Structures
37:58 Global Fertility Trends
42:45 AI in Military and Arms Race
47:15 AI Creativity and Hallucinations
52:53 Psychedelics and AIFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:
Twitter @ https://x.com/632nmPodcast
Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubrovsky @ https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov @ https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin @ https://x.com/XinghuiYinSUBSCRIBE:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6ORWEBSITE: https://www.632nm.com
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Information, Entropy & Reality | MIT Professor Seth Lloyd on Quantum Computing
3 februari 2025 · 2 uur 3 min
The 632nm team sat down with MIT professor Seth Lloyd for a mind-bending journey through quantum mechanics, information theory, and the early days of quantum computing. Lloyd shares fascinating stories from his pioneering work in quantum information, including how he nearly got expelled from his PhD program for pursuing what was then considered a "crazy" research direction. Through engaging examples and personal anecdotes, he explains why quantum mechanics is "irreducibly weird" and how information and entropy are fundamentally the same thing. Lees meer
The conversation takes unexpected turns with remarkable stories about Stephen Hawking's quantum gravity lectures, Richard Feynman's three tricks that revolutionized physics, and epic MIT student pranks including the great Caltech cannon heist. Lloyd also tackles deep questions about consciousness, free will, and the computational nature of the universe, explaining why the universe itself may be its own most efficient simulation. His unique perspective as both a mechanical engineer and quantum physicist brings fresh insights to some of science's most profound mysteries.
00:00 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Philosophy
02:13 Academic Journey and Early Inspirations
05:26 Challenges and Breakthroughs in Quantum Information
11:17 Entropy, Information Theory, and the Second Law
25:33 Quantum Computing and Feynman's Hamiltonian
41:27 Discrete vs. Continuous Spectrums in Quantum Systems
42:39 Early Quantum Computing Breakthroughs
44:27 Building Quantum Computers: Techniques and Challenges
50:27 The Universe as a Quantum Computer
01:05:52 Quantum Machine Learning and Future Prospects
01:19:12 Navigating an Academic Family Background
01:19:50 Challenges in Quantum Information Career
01:24:32 Reflections on Harvard and MIT Experiences
01:27:01 Exploring Free Will and Consciousness
01:57:09 MIT Hacks and AnecdotesFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:
Twitter @ https://x.com/632nmPodcast
Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubro… -
From Medieval Glass to Nobel Prize | Moungi Bawendi on Mastering Quantum Dots
27 januari 2025 · 1 uur 31 min
In this episode, the 632 team interviewed Nobel laureate Moungi Bawendi, revealing his serendipitous journey to the discovery and development of quantum dots. From a summer internship at Bell Labs to an expired bottle of chemicals that contained the perfect mixture, Bawendi shares how some of chemistry's biggest breakthroughs came from unexpected places. He draws remarkable connections between medieval stained glass artisans and modern nanotechnology, explaining how thousand-year-old techniques unknowingly pioneered the manipulation of nanoparticles. Lees meer
The conversation takes us through the evolution of quantum dots from laboratory curiosity to revolutionary technology, now powering millions of modern TV displays. Bawendi offers candid insights into the challenges of modern scientific research funding, even at prestigious institutions like MIT, while discussing how the path from discovery to real-world impact still takes decades despite our fast-paced digital era.
01:04 Understanding Quantum Dots
02:41 The Birth of Quantum Dots
03:49 Discoveries and Career Choices
09:05 The Evolution of Nanotechnology
11:02 The Chemistry Behind Nanocrystals
50:58 Bulk Phosphine and Cost Efficiency
53:56 Timeline of Quantum Dot Research
01:12:46 MRI Contrast Agents and Iron Oxide
01:17:14 Funding and Future of Scientific ResearchFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:
Twitter @ https://x.com/632nmPodcast
Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubrovsky @ https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov @ https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin @ https://x.com/XinghuiYinSUBSCRIBE:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6ORWEBSITE: https://www.632nm.com
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How a Vision Disorder Led to Shocking Brain Science Discoveries | Mark Bear on Neuroplasticity
20 januari 2025 · 1 uur 36 min
In this captivating episode, we explore how Mark Bear's personal experience with congenital nystagmus sparked a revolutionary career in neuroscience. Mark shares his remarkable journey from struggling with a visual impairment to making groundbreaking discoveries about how the brain processes visual information, including the identification of a previously unknown neural pathway discovered during his undergraduate years. Lees meer
The conversation delves deep into the fascinating mechanics of human vision, explaining how our brains transform input from two separate eyes into one unified visual experience. Perhaps most intriguingly, Mark reveals critical insights about the brain's developmental windows, particularly how infants must learn to see during their first year of life and why this ability has a strict deadline around age seven. This episode offers a unique blend of personal narrative and cutting-edge neuroscience, illuminating the remarkable plasticity of the human brain and the time-sensitive nature of neural development.
02:18 Discovering the Visual Cortex
06:58 Understanding Vision and Visual Processing
14:47 Exploring Plasticity in the Visual System
29:12 The Role of Sleep and Hallucinations in Vision
34:07 Memory, Plasticity, and Neuromodulation
41:47 Experience-Dependent Plasticity and Learning
48:39 Evolutionary Insights from Primate and Cat Visual Systems
49:37 Unique Features of Mouse Visual System
50:52 Visual Evoked Potentials: Techniques and Discoveries
53:19 Stimulus Selective Response Plasticity
54:38 Behavioral and Electrophysiological Correlates of Learning
01:02:03 Declarative vs. Procedural Memory
01:03:54 Hippocampus and Memory Storage
01:18:55 Challenges and Future Directions in NeuroscienceFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:
Twitter @ https://x.com/632nmPodcast
Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubrovsky @ https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov @ https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin @ https://x.com/XinghuiYinSUBSCRIBE:
Apple Podc… -
The Current Reality of Quantum Computing | Yudong Cao on Deploying Quantum for Real-Life Problems
13 januari 2025 · 1 uur 53 min
In this eye-opening episode, former Zapata Computing CEO Yudong Chen reveals the sobering truth about quantum computing's potential impact on drug discovery and the industry's inflated market expectations. Chen explains why even with perfect quantum chemistry calculations, the business case for quantum computing in pharmaceuticals falls dramatically short of the billions being invested, with a total addressable market of only around $100M. Lees meer
The conversation takes fascinating turns as Chen shares the unusual origin story of Zapata Computing, named after Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, and traces the company's journey from quantum computing to AI. He provides crucial insights into the field's future, discussing the emerging quantum winter and why government funding, rather than venture capital, may be the path forward. The episode concludes with Chen's compelling vision for advancing quantum computing through focused application development and the need for standardized infrastructure.
02:19 The Origin Story of Zapata Computing
04:27 Early Challenges and Realizations in Quantum Chemistry
06:22 Exploring Optimization and Machine Learning
15:46 Understanding Variational Quantum Algorithms
29:11 Quantum Computing in Drug Discovery and Industry
34:33 Economic Impact and Future of Quantum Computing
01:01:35 Classical Chips vs Quantum Devices
01:19:40 Reflections on Zapata's IPO and Market Dynamics
01:24:12 Future of Quantum Computing and Personal InsightsFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:
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