The next big arena in computing is quantum computing. Some of the most publicized innovations and even some of the best recent science fiction projects have centered around quantum computing. That's because the technology promises a seismic shift in the way we think about computers and the way they are able to make calculations. Those changes will lead to faster and more powerful computers, which can improve our lives through improved scientific research, and more. The beginning of this revolution, however, is small, thanks to Aquark Technologies.

The company, which is a startup spun out of the University of Southampton, is focused on shrinking a core component of the quantum computing ecosystem. They have accomplished this by creating a miniaturized cold atom system, which is integral to the quantum computer. While the traditional system would have required a large amount of space and several qualified engineers to operate, the version developed by Aquark Technologies is comparable to the size of a matchbox.

By shrinking this singular component, a quantum computing system can now be tiny. We were treated to a non-functional prototype of one of these quantum computers. The reason for the non-functional prototype was not because a functioning version doesn't exist, but because it would have been too difficult to bring into the country. It was smaller than the size of a shoebox and its working companion is able to calculate and keep time to the same quantum accuracy as the official atomic clock in Paris, France.

While this could easily be a revolutionary device in the quantum realm, it is still in an early stage. The company was founded only a few months ago, building on the doctoral thesis of its founder, Physicist Dr. Andrei Dragomir. To learn more about the project and follow its development, check out Future Worlds.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.