E-insight

My little journey to the west, from The Spirit of “Why Not” to Quantum Computers

My little journey to the west, from The Spirit of “Why Not” to Quantum Computers

“啊卡” 我去滑铁卢取的经

First, I’d like to congratulate myself for able to write some professional stuff instead of the random b.s. I used to write before, and for having the privilege of entering University of Waterloo in the coming up autumn. Truly thrilled and excited, I was also invited to its early morning reception session for president scholarship receivers.

This year, 2007, is the fiftieth anniversary of the University of Waterloo, and I was given a pin of remembrance, coated in black and gold, upon my arrival in the festival room. I also received a sticker with my name and my program “software engineering” on it. It certainly was quite an honour to become a Waterloo prospect, especially a student in software engineering. Several professors from various departments have spoken, and congratulated me. Since software engineering itself is a double-jointed program, I’m still trying to figure out which faculty I belong to. Although many have told me this is a program which gets the best parts from both faculties, but I know the apparent truth is similar to stepping my feet across two boats.

Mr. Johnston, the president certainly has a good sense of humour and approach when comes to inspiring and encouraging young students. The aspect of character which was not seen in those speakers I met in the “Top Applicants’ Reception” in University of Toronto. Mr. Johnston has also told the audience that Waterloo was selected as the most intelligent community in the world in 2007. It happens to be so, that many people would wonder “Why?” when approach something new, but UofW’s spirit is to wonder “Why not?”

Mr. Johnston has also given the students a glimpse of some of the frontier technologies that are been exploited in the Waterloo Research Park. The one I found the most interesting was the research in Quantum Computers. The president of RIM has said that the capacity of data holds in a blackberry is 2-3 times larger than the supercomputer 20 years ago, which occupied several room weighing several tons. The advances in the development of “chip”, is because of the advances in physics. But within the next decade, we will eventually hit the physical limit, where processors can run no faster than it already running. At that stage, we will have to use quantum computers, which replace traditional charge, 1 or zero, with the spin number of the fundamental particles. Quantum computers will make use of qubits (quantum bits) instead of bits (1 or 0). There will be 1, 0, and the superposition of 1 and 0. (Both 1 and 0 at the same time). This area is the area where all laws of physics break down. I was quite fascinated by this topic.

As I looked around, I can see the same passion in everyone else’s eyes. This was one of the reasons I chose Waterloo. I like its spirit.

P.S. Please don’t penalize me, I don’t proof read.

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E-Insight, 2007