Bright Future: Technology Leaders Look To Quantum
John Prisco, Security CEO & founder of Safe Quantum Inc., working with data-driven companies to develop and deploy quantum-safe technologies
Amid the ongoing funding news for bright, young quantum startups (see Classiq, SilQ Connect), recent news from the U.S. Congress and established technology companies is raising the stakes for quantum viability and the need to keep Chinese quantum development within reach.
Word on the street is that Nvidia plans to invest in PsiQuantum, the chipmaker's first direct tie to quantum hardware. The move is especially interesting considering the position of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who said earlier this year that a viable quantum computer is still decades away.
This move would extend Nvidia's ongoing interest in quantum, which includes quantum software development, a hybrid system framework and a new quantum research lab in Boston that will be devoted to leveraging AI-powered supercomputers alongside advanced quantum hardware.
The Nvidia news comes on the heels of other big-name investments in quantum this year.
Amazon joined the quantum party, nudging some of its chief cloud rivals like Google and Microsoft in the race for potential payoff when quantum goes commercial. Amazon touted its Ocelot quantum chip (announced a week after Microsoft's own) as a high-efficiency approach to quantum and extending the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud-computing platform.
Microsoft doesn't plan to allow access to its chip through the Azure public cloud infrastructure, however, focusing instead on building the capacity of its chip to add qubits—quantum bits of data.
The flurry of activity isn't a moment too soon if you look at China's movements in quantum. The Chinese announced in April a successful test of perfectly encrypted data communications over 750 miles, an extraordinary distance.
It's yet another example of China's emerging dominance in quantum development, a potential threat so serious that Microsoft President Brad Smith warned it puts the United States in jeopardy of falling irrevocably behind.
Smith has exhorted the current administration to prioritize quantum research, renewing programs such as the National Quantum Initiative Act and focusing on developing an educational pipeline initiative to cultivate quantum talent.
Already this year, a bipartisan group of U.S. representatives banded together to introduce a sandbox program to complement the National Quantum Initiative. The Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act aims to provide a cloud-based workspace for government and commercial researchers to experiment with quantum applications for defense, healthcare, energy and manufacturing.
There are other bright spots.
Cisco, at the heart of the existing internet infrastructure, announced a new quantum lab and the development of a quantum chip prototype designed to enable quantum networks to scale.
IBM has partnered with Tata Consultancy Services to launch the largest quantum research and development center in India, alongside an IBM Quantum Systems Two installation with a 156-qubit Heron quantum processor.
The Indian investment is on top of IBM's strategy to invest $150 billion (that's BILLION) in the United States over the next five years to expand U.S.-based manufacturing of quantum computers and mainframe systems.
With the volume of investment in small and large technology companies, it's clear that quantum's future is calling. No doubt the next few years will also herald a time of mergers and acquisitions, as newer technologies come to market.
Smart investors would do well to especially consider companies with a focus on early-stage quantum solutions, such as quantum key distribution (QKD), with proven use cases that deploy quantum today over existing fiber optic networks.
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Before using the newly sharpened knife to slice food, the company advises you to always wipe the knife blade with a damp cloth to remove any metal filings that may have been deposited during the sharpening process. All in all, the entire process of using the Presto 08810 Professional EverSharp Knife Sharpener is intuitive. I do advise you to read the user manual before you first use the sharpener, as it contains important safeguards about the kinds of knives you can and cannot sharpen in the machine. For example, it warns against attempting to sharpen scissors, serrated electric knives or any blade that does not fit freely into its blade guides. The manual is available in English and Spanish and comes in the box, but it can also be downloaded from the Presto website. After scouring the internet for the most popular and highly rated knife sharpeners, I chose five models — four electric and one manual — to test. I placed each knife sharpener on a kitchen counter and assigned one dull blade to each. I sharpened the dull blades using its assigned knife sharpener, carefully noting how difficult it was to use to slice vegetables and fruits, both before and after sharpening. I spent several days testing each knife sharpener, evaluating each based on performance, durability, ease of use and value. Performance Tomato test: I used each dull blade to try to slice through a tomato and then sharpened the blade using its designated knife sharpener. After the blade was sharpened, I took another tomato and tried to cut it into thin slices, noting how easily the sharpened blade allowed me to do so. Avocado test: I used the dull blades to try to slice through the skin of a whole avocado and then used the sharpened blade to try doing so again. I noted whether or not I was able to easily cut through the avocado, as well as cut the inside into slices afterward. Durability Setup: I unboxed each knife sharpener, noting its overall size and weight, and if it came with detailed instructions, as well as how comprehensive the user manual was. Build quality: I held each knife sharpener in my hands, noting how sturdy or flimsy its construction felt. I noted the material and surface of the unit, as well as how big the footprint was. Ease of use Intuitiveness: I noted how well I could use the knife sharpener after just one perusal of its user manual. I observed whether the process required to sharpen each blade was wildly different from other knife sharpeners I tested or relatively the same. Speed: I considered how fast each knife sharpener was while sharpening each blade. Did I need to repeat any steps in the sharpening process, and if so, how many times did I need to do so to achieve the desired result? Overall value Price: I considered the price of each sharpener, factoring in the overall value of the sharpener itself as well as the money it saves on having to buy new knives. The knife sharpeners I tested all have slots that help position knife blades properly, practically ensuring you use the machine correctly each time. But there are three factors you should keep in mind as you search for the best knife sharpener for your needs. Electric or manual One of the first factors to consider is whether you want an electric or a manual knife sharpener. Electric knife sharpeners are bigger and take up more counter space, and might not be as easy to store as their manual counterparts. You can also take a manual knife sharpener with you while you go camping or hiking, without needing a power outlet. Keep your budget in mind as well. 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The first wheel on the left side of the Presto 08800 EverSharp is meant for precision grinding, while the wheel on the right is the fine polishing wheel meant for honing. I had no trouble pulling a dull blade through either grinding slot and then enjoying a sharp blade after just a few minutes of sharpening. This two-slot model from Presto is available for about half the price of the three-stage Presto 08810. Smith's Essentials Deluxe Diamond Knife Sharpener This compact, no-frills electric knife sharpener from Smith's sells for as low as $40, which is a great deal considering it gave me razor-sharp knives and even sharpened serrated blades. This model sharpened my dull knife quickly, letting me slice through tomatoes and avocados with ease. Smith's Essentials Deluxe Diamond Knife Sharpener is an electric knife sharpener that can sharpen knives of alloy steel, carbon steel or stainless steel. The right side of the Smith's body offers two slots. One slot is a mechanical slot that features a coarse diamond sharpening wheel for fast and precise sharpening. The other slot is a manual finishing slot that features two specially shaped, triangular ceramic stones for final edge honing of a straight-edge blade or serrated blade sharpening. The manual finishing slot's ceramic stones are designed to sharpen serrated blades without damaging the serrations by following the shape of the blade as the knife is pulled through the slot. This sharpener from Smith's is not designed to sharpen scissors or any blade that doesn't fit freely in its blade guides, which hold knives at the correct angle for precise sharpening. After using the Smith's Essentials Deluxe Diamond sharpener, my previously dull knife cut smoothly through tomatoes, avocados and more. It was also pleasant to use, with a soft grip on the left side that allows you to maintain better control while using it. The nonslip rubber feet on the bottom of the sharpener are a nice touch too since they provide extra stability. WorkSharp CPE2 Kitchen Knife Sharpener The WorkSharp CPE2 Kitchen Knife Sharpener is simple, easy to use, lightweight and compact that uses both discs and ceramic wheels to sharpen knives. It worked well and fit in my kitchen drawer for easy storage, which was nice, but it lost out to the Presto 08810 Professional EverSharp Knife Sharpener due to the Presto's three grinding wheels and lower price. The WorkSharp CPE2 Kitchen Knife Sharpener can sharpen all types of kitchen knives, including cleavers and paring knives, plus scissors, shears and serrated edges. Though I didn't test the latter, the company says this model offers 20-degree-angle guides that are removable for scissor sharpening as well as a dedicated scissor sharpening guide. The WorkSharp, like the Smith's and the smaller Presto, uses a two-stage system with two separate sharpening slots. The first one uses flexible, abrasive discs to sharpen blades, while the second is a honing port that uses ceramic wheels for fine-tuning. After using it, I like how I could store it easily in a kitchen drawer or cabinet. Its price is the highest of the electric knife sharpeners I tested, though, which kept it from taking the top spot. Zwilling V-Edge Knife Sharpener The Zwilling V-Edge Knife Sharpener is a manual knife sharpener that's lightweight, simple to use and effective. If you don't want to rely on a power outlet to sharpen your knives, this sharpener is a good option. It didn't earn my top spot since its price is higher than the rest of the electric models I tested, by about $30. The Zwilling V-Edge Knife Sharpener is the only manual knife sharpener I tested. It's portable, easy to use and works well, sharpening my knife so that I could easily slice through tomatoes and bell peppers. Its light, slim body can be stored easily in a pantry or kitchen drawer, or even brought along on a camping trip if you anticipate needing sharp kitchen knives. But be sure to keep it dry, as it's not water-resistant or dishwasher-safe. The company recommends keeping the guiding slot clean by using a nonabrasive, dry towel to gently wipe any fine dust residue that may accumulate over time. Also, at $100 or more, it's the most expensive option I tested, and it's results weren't vastly different. So, if budget is an issue, try one of the less expensive knife sharpeners I tested, like the $40 Smith's Essentials Deluxe Diamond Knife Sharpener, which works well. What's the difference between a kitchen knife and a utility knife? What's the difference between a kitchen knife and a utility knife? A kitchen knife is different from a utility knife (also known as a box cutter) because a utility knife stays sharp thanks to its replaceable razor blade. A kitchen knife needs either an electric or manual sharpener to restore its blade to ideal working condition. How do I use an electric knife sharpener? How do I use an electric knife sharpener? To use an electric knife sharpener, insert your dull blade into the correct slot on the machine and gently pull the blade toward you, applying gentle yet constant pressure as you pull. For dull blades, first choose the coarse slot, then select the finer slot for honing and regular maintenance after the initial sharpening. Can I sharpen serrated knives with my knife sharpener? Can I sharpen serrated knives with my knife sharpener? It depends entirely on the sharpener itself. Some are made to sharpened only non-serrated knives, while others can sharpen serrated knives, scissors, shears and more. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions and user manual to determine what kind of knives are safe to use in your knife sharpener and how to do so. With our top pick, for example, the Presto 08810 knife sharpener, you can sharpen serrated knives, except for electric serrated knives or knives serrated on both sides, per the user manual. To sharpen non-electric serrated knives, Presto says to use only the slots in Stages 2 and 3, and to only sharpen the smooth side of the knife blade (the side without the grooves or scallops). Draw the knife through the slots using very little pressure too. Presto also warns that each time a serrated knife is sharpened, a portion of the serration is removed. So, be aware that, over time, the serration on the knife may be completely removed, and you may end up with a knife blade similar to that of a utility knife. Can I sharpen scissors with a knife sharpener? Can I sharpen scissors with a knife sharpener? You can sharpen scissors with some knife sharpeners, but not all of them. You can often sharpen scissors more effectively by using a sharpening rod, though, as many knife sharpeners are specifically designed only for knives. For those that can sharpen scissors, you'll want to first take the scissors apart and carefully pull each blade through the knife sharpener's slot, much like you would a dull knife blade. CNN Underscored thoroughly tests the products in our testing guides and provides full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this guide, testing editor Suzanne Kattau used knife sharpeners to sharpen the many dull blades of her kitchen knives and then spent days slicing a countless number of tomatoes, avocados, bell peppers and strawberries to find the very best. Kattau has also tested some of the best cordless stick vacuums as well as many other home, sleep and kitchen products, including the best dehumidifiers, the best robot mops, the best leaf blowers, the best mattresses for side sleepers and the best nonstick pans.
