NIST works to bring more everyday understanding to quantum science

Quantum science, and especially its most popular offshoot, quantum computing, have come a long way in a fairly short period of time. Back when Nextgov/FCW first started reporting on quantum computing advances in government, a lot of people would write in and ask what quantum computing actually was, and quite a few articles and columns at the time attempted to explain how it all worked. There was even some degree of skepticism about whether a functioning quantum computer could actually ever be created

These days, quantum computing has reached quite a few major milestones. For example, Google and NASA achieved quantum supremacy, the point where a quantum computer is able to solve a problem that no traditional computer could within a reasonable amount of time, back in 2019. And agencies in cooperation with private companies continue to experiment with different types of qubits, which is what powers quantum computers, to find ever more efficient designs. Different qubit types now include trapped ions, superconducting, semiconducting and even photonic ones made of light. But even with all those advancements, both quantum computers and the science itself are out of reach and out of sight for most normal people.

That is why NIST is celebrating 2025 being designated as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology with a campaign to educate people about quantum science and computers. This includes programs and papers that demonstrate how quantum science is already operating in the real world, while also attempting to explain in layman’s terms many of the bizarre-seeming concepts that help quantum computers work.

One of the most interesting things about this effort is how it highlights the fact that, while we tend to think of quantum science as a relatively new endeavor, NIST has actually been working in this field for over 100 years. As proof of that, NIST shared a white paper entitled Experimental Test of Parity Conservation in Beta Decay that was written back in 1957. They also shared quite a few other papers and research project summaries involving quantum science from other decades too, including an interesting one that defined how gecko lizards are able to grab onto just about any surface because of how their feet operate at a molecular level.

Other parts of the year-long effort to help bring quantum science into the mainstream include a program to show how advances in quantum science were required to enable quite a few modern devices and technologies that many people probably take for granted. For example, without quantum science, we would not have accurate photodetectors used in everything from smoke detectors to garage door openers. According to NIST, quantum science also plays a big role in GPS, solar panels, semiconductors and MRI machines. And it’s even used to accurately define a kilogram, the universal unit of weight that is a key to everything from airplane travel to international trade.

Moving from raw science to actual quantum computing brings with it a whole new batch of concepts that seem pretty strange because they almost casually break the laws of Newtonian physics that we all live by and experience every single day. It’s another area where NIST is attempting to explain how it all works as part of the year-long quantum science celebration.

For example, an odd concept that is central to quantum computing is superposition. Normally, objects only exist in one state at a time. For example, someone standing on a ladder has a certain amount of potential kinetic energy should they leap off of it depending on what rung they are currently at. Someone at the lowest rung will have much less potential energy than someone at the top. But in quantum computing, particles can exist in multiple states at the same time. It’s like a person standing on every single rung of a ladder and all of the positions in between at the same time. Quantum machines use energy and other methods to try and manipulate superposition, although measuring particles in that state and getting an accurate reading is tricky because even the act of taking the measurement can change the readings.

To further help explain some of the interesting and complex topics like superposition or decoherence, NIST scientists have also created a series of shorts on YouTube. The fun little videos do a great job of breaking down really complex topics into extremely bite-sized chunks that make them easy to understand. And people can then follow-up with some more advanced reading from a series of papers about quantum computing that NIST put together for their International Year of Quantum Science and Technology efforts.

It's clear from looking at all of the NIST materials that quantum science and computers are both continuing to advance. And as initiatives such as NIST's year-long celebration demonstrate, the barriers to understanding and harnessing quantum science are gradually being lifted while advanced and groundbreaking technologies that rely on it slowly inch ever further into our everyday lives. 

John Breeden II is an award-winning journalist and reviewer with over 20 years of experience covering technology. He is the CEO of the Tech Writers Bureau, a group that creates technological thought leadership content for organizations of all sizes. Twitter: @LabGuys