INDUSTRY

The strange laws of nature that govern objects less than an atom in size are the focus of a major international scientific meeting in Australia this month. How to build colossally powerful computers from mere atoms or sub-atomic particles, intelligent materials for industry, synthetic body parts, artificial atoms or detectors capable of sniffing out a single molecule are the focus of the Sir Mark Oliphant Conference on Frontiers of Quantum Nanoscience, in Noosa, Queensland from January 22-26, 2006. "We've all heard of nanotechnology. Well quantum nanoscience is the next great stride beyond it," says organiser Professor Gerard Milburn of The University of Queensland. "It's about what happens when the familiar laws of physics are replaced by quantum laws, as you move below the level of molecules and atoms." Five years ago, nanotechnology was in the "stone hand-axe" stage, he says. Today it is producing devices made from 8 quantum switches equivalent to 256 ordinary transistors, and working towards 20 or more quantum switches equivalent to millions of ordinary transistors, giving some idea of the colossal power and speed attainable from quantum computers. The first of these small but ultra-powerful systems will be operating within the decade and the new science will influence the whole of society in 10-20 years, Prof. Milburn predicts. Topics at the conference include: * design of novel nano-electro-mechanical devices * quantum bits (qubits) and ways of using them to store information * superconducting devices and circuits * molecular wires, magnets and electronics * ultra-sensitive 'quantum dot' detectors * new materials created atom by atom from different materials * effects of quantum devices on living organisms * the impact of quantum nanoscience on society and the law. The Sir Mark Oliphant Conference on Frontiers in Quantum Nanoscience will take place at The Noosa Blue Resort, Noosa, Queensland from January 22-26, 2006, ph 1800 463854