Computer technology A quantum leap for Germany?

Status: 15.06.2021 6:25 p.m.

Europe’s first quantum computer was inaugurated in Ehningen near Stuttgart. The ultra-fast computer from IBM is supposed to help the economy compete with China and the USA. From Michael Herr, SWR The “marvel of technology”, as Angela Merkel called it, is massive: the quantum computer, IBM and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft on Tuesday at the German headquarters, is supposed to have a footprint of three by three meters at a height of three meters of the IT group in Ehningen near Stuttgart has presented to the public. According to IBM, the “most powerful quantum computer in the industrial environment of Europe” has officially arrived in Swabia. It was set up in November last year. Because of the pandemic, the computer could only be inaugurated today. The expectations that many have placed on the system are even greater than the computer: some experts predict that quantum technology will be the starting point for the next industrial revolution. The quantum computer should also ensure that Germany is at the forefront when it breaks out.

03/09/2021

Favorite project of the Chancellor

The new computer in Ehningen is called “Quantum System One” – and is considered a kind of favorite project of Merkel. At least it could be switched on live at the opening. She arranged the project herself – on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos 2019, during a conversation with IBM boss Ginni Rometty. In the autumn of the same year the promise was made: the computer will come to Germany. The Fraunhofer researchers will initially use the facility exclusively until the end of 2023. Fraunhofer President Reimund Neugebauer said that computing power would be rented to research institutions and companies of all sizes. Companies should also make use of their research results. Only recently, a quantum alliance of leading corporations in the field was founded in Germany. On board are among others BASF, SAP and VW. A total of six projects have now been started with partners from science and industry to research quantum technology, possible application scenarios and algorithms. The computer is the first that the US corporation IBM is making available outside the USA.

October 24, 2019

Computer technology revolution

Now that the potential of supercomputers has largely been exhausted, quantum computers are seen as a new beacon of hope for industry and research. Wherever large amounts of data arise, for example in the simulation of molecules or in drug research with its innumerable variables, quantum computers have the edge. The reason for this lies in their special type of information processing. A normal computer calculates in bits. However, these can only assume two states, 1 or 0. The computing power that can be provided is therefore limited. Quantum computers, on the other hand, calculate with qubits, tiny quantum particles such as photons or electrons. To put it simply, these can not only alternately assume the states 1 or 0, but both at the same time. This enables you to carry out many calculations in parallel.

05/12/2021

Germany Developing country in quantum computing

So far, Germany and Europe have practically not appeared on the world map of quantum computing. This is shown not least by the fact that it first took a US company to bring the first commercial quantum computer to Europe. The big players in the business are in the USA; A total of 13 established companies are currently working there on computers or associated software, including names like Google and Microsoft. China has also invested huge sums in the technology. In order to catch up with the deficit of the German economy, the state has reached into its pockets: 40 million euros are provided for the system in Ehingen, financed by the federal government and the state of Baden-Württemberg. The Chancellor said it was a future technology that could achieve breakthroughs in medical technology and revolutionize materials research because the speed of computers would make very complex calculations possible. With its funding of two billion euros until 2025, the federal government wants to support market-oriented development. In addition, Germany wants to develop its own quantum computer demonstrator with a company consortium in the next two years. In Germany the results of quantum technology research must now be used “as quickly as possible”, also economically, said Merkel. In other words: New industrial applications for the technology are needed. Many possible uses of quantum mechanics have so far only been at the research stage.

Exclusive 02/04/2021

Quantum technology improves cancer diagnostics

You can already see the potential of the technology at the start-up “NVision” in Ulm. 30 employees from nine nations work here. They share knowledge and curiosity for quantum physics. They are making use of their principles for new diagnostic methods with which cancer can be detected better and earlier. To do this, they use a sugar-like active ingredient that makes cancer cells detectable in the magnetic resonance tomograph. “We make sugar visible by using quantum technology to magnify the signals it sends out ten thousand times.” explains Ilia Schwartz, one of the founders of “NVision” and one of the most renowned quantum scientists at all. With the new technology, tumor diagnoses could soon be made without the use of radioactive contrast media. And doctors would gain deep insights into diseased tissue like never before: Tumors could be detected earlier and the success or failure of therapies could be determined. The new computer should also ensure that such success stories of quantum technology become even more common in Germany. However, there is another problem to be resolved on the way there: So far, there has been a lack of a sufficient number of programmers in this country who can exploit the potential of the new machine.

Increasing influence How China is entering Europe’s ports

Status: 10.06.2021 12:33 p.m.

Piraeus, Rotterdam, Antwerp and soon possibly also Hamburg – China has its own terminals in 14 European ports or holds shares in port operators. Critics warn of the consequences of the urge to expand. From Lothar Gries, tagesschau.de The listed Hamburg port operator HHLA is currently negotiating with the Chinese state shipping company Cosco about a possible participation in one of its container terminals – with the telling name of Tollerort. HHLA recently announced that a legally binding agreement has not yet been reached. However, the publication of such a release indicates that the talks are on the home stretch. Trade with China is by far the most important business for the third largest European seaport. Ships of the Chinese shipping company Cosco have been calling at Hamburg for almost 40 years. Two years ago, China’s Vice President Wang Qishan also visited the Tollerort terminal. With its four berths on a quay wall a good kilometer long, 14 container cranes and a five-track rail connection, Tollerort is one of a total of four container terminals in the Port of Hamburg and the second largest at HHLA.

Important loophole

According to experts, by entering Hamburg, China would close the largest gap in its maritime Silk Road. Even more: through a partnership with HHLA, Cosco could also get privileged access to the Italian Adriatic port of Trieste. The Hamburg port operator had taken over the majority in a new terminal there last year – with the express approval of the government in Rome, which wanted to block the way for the Chinese who were also interested. Because a majority stake by Cosco in the largest container terminal in Trieste would have been tantamount to a sell-out from the perspective of the Italians. Now the Chinese could still gain access to Trieste via Hamburg. That would be a decisive move in Beijing’s expansion strategy, since Trieste is the northernmost port in the Mediterranean and therefore particularly important for Central and Eastern Europe. HHLA is also involved in terminals in the Ukraine and Estonia.

“Loss of Sovereignty”

Cosco and its sister company China Merchant already have their own terminals in a total of 14 European ports – or at least shares in the port operators. All the major seaports on the continent are included, from Rotterdam and Antwerp to Le Havre, Bilbao, Genoa, Valencia and Marseille. According to calculations by US experts, more than two thirds of the 50 largest container terminals in the world are already controlled by the Chinese or at least supported by holdings. “Europe has thus lost some of its sovereignty,” complained the former French Prime Minister and China expert, Jean-Pierre Raffarin. The sell-off began in 2016 when Greece, which was practically bankrupt at the time, was forced by the troika made up of the monetary fund, the EU and the ECB to privatize the port of Piraeus. The Chinese were happy to take it and were given complete control of the strategically located port for a bargain price of 280 million euros. Today Piraeus is number four in Europe, behind Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg. The port is the end point of the maritime Silk Road, from China across the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea. Beijing also controls its entrance for onward travel through the Suez Canal, with a naval base in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa.

Silk Road project – anything but a marketing gimmick

The example of Greece shows the political effects of China’s increasing influence in some countries, says Günther Oettinger, the former EU Commissioner and Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg. “Before the European Union imposed symbolic sanctions on China in March, Greece liked the role of delaying and watering down resolutions against China. A rogue who thinks evil”, said the CDU politician in a guest article for the “Tagesspiegel” “. China’s expansion can no longer be stopped. “We cannot blame the Chinese for being smart. We can only blame ourselves for being so stupid,” said French President Emmanuel Macron, referring to China’s strategy, which is an increasingly large one in Europe’s economy Role to play. In fact, the EU countries watched China’s shopping spree for a long time with takeovers of technology companies such as the German robot manufacturer Kuka. “When China’s leadership launched the ‘New Silk Road’ project in 2013, many in Europe believed it was a marketing gag,” said Günther Oettinger. President Xi Jinping was very serious, as can be seen from the trade network that has now been established. In Europe, China prefers to help those states, such as Greece or Hungary, that are poorer than Western Europeans. These countries are to be tied closely to themselves by investing billions in infrastructure in order to create a “China-friendly Europe”, as a high-ranking EU diplomat of the “world” said.

No concerns from Berlin

The most recent decision by the EU Parliament, which Suspend discussions on the investment agreement reached with China at the end of last year . Among other things, it was supposed to regulate the access of European companies to the Chinese market, but met with growing opposition in the European Union. Critics complained that the agreement did not set any limits to China’s expansionist urge. This is unlikely to prevent the Chinese from entering the Tollerort container port in Hamburg. The negotiations are after NDR- Information well advanced and coordinated with the federal government. There are no concerns from the Chancellery, the Ministry of Economics and Transport, or the Foreign Office.

Luxembourg’s full name is the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg – a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, ruled by a Grand Duke and the only surviving grand duchy in the world. This country has an area of ​​2586 square kilometers with a population of 580,000 people . Nestled between the “giants” of France, Germany and Belgium, Luxembourg not only has not been annexed and assimilated, but has also risen to world stature – it is a co-founder member of many international organizations such as the Union United Nations, European Union, North Atlantic Treaty Organization… With more than 80% of the population being immigrants, people here are not only Luxembourgish, but also fluent in other languages ​​such as French, German, English… At attractions in Luxembourg, there are hearing devices, visitors do not need tour guide, just press the button to select the language. As a small country, but Luxembourg has RTL Group with 34 television stations, 33 radio stations covering 12 countries and the largest steel corporation Arcelormital in Europe. Luxembourg is the headquarters of hundreds of foreign banks, including the Investment Bank and the European Audit Office… Luxembourg is influenced by French architecture, notably the Lucilinburhuc castle built more than 1000 years ago, Notre Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg’s main avenue looks like the Champs Elysees in Paris. Grand Dukes Palace with unique architecture, built in 1574 – one of the most perfect examples of Renaissance architecture with splendid beauty, sophistication. The Luxembourg Theater (full name is Grande-Duchesse Josephine-Charlotte Concert Hall) designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc, is one of the most famous theaters in Europe, holding up to 400 concerts annually. Notre-Dame Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church, built in 1870, bold Gothic architecture mixed with fine Renaissance art. The building of the National Savings Bank was built in the years 1910 – 1913 in the Renaissance style William II Square – the heart of Luxembourg City, named after the eminent emperor of both Luxembourg and the Netherlands, has long had a special meaning for the people and country of Luxembourg. Statue of Gëlle Fra commemorating the soldiers of Luxembourg who died in World War I in Constitution Square, built in 1923, demolished by the Germans in 1940, restored in 1984 – a symbol of freedom and love Luxembourgish resilience. Luxembourg is influenced by both Roman and Germanic cultures but has been transformed by eye-catching multicultural fashion stores, performances by Arab street artists, aromatic German sausages, attractive Turkish kepap…and the shops seduce tourists. Luxembourg has 110 bridges. The Grand Duke Adolphe Bridge was built between 1900-1903 by two famous architects with the largest stone dome in the world at that time – a symbol of the independence of this country. The “Old” bridge was built in 1859 – 1861 across the Pétrusse valley with pillars 30 meters high, with a total length of 290 meters. The “Red” bridge connects the city center with the European area, 74 m high, 355 m long, 25 m wide and with a total weight of 4,900 tons. Designed by Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill in 2004, Europe Square is home to major buildings such as the Philharmonie, the Alcide De Gasperi, the new Convention Center, the MUDAM Drai Eechelen… Luxembourg’s most famous attraction is the Chemin de la Corniche, across the Alzrtte valley, built by the Spaniards and French in the 17th century – which covers the whole of Luxembourg, dubbed “The most beautiful balcony” Europe”. Under the Chemin de la Corniche is the Bock Casemates underground fortress system 23 km long, 40 m deep, built by Count Sigfried in 963. The whole defensive town is more than 40000 m2, located in the ground with legs. very thick walls and sandstone balustrades that follow steep cliffs. Since 1933, Casemates has been repaired by the Luxembourg government and is open to visitors. Currently, the average annual Bock Casemates welcomes more than 100,000 visitors. The hidden beauty and romance of Luxembourg City is that it lies in the heart of the valley. Luxembourg City was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1994 and awarded the title of “European Capital of Culture” by the EU in 1995 and 2007. Luxembourg does not have a hustle and bustle like many other tourist cities in Europe. Apart from the new cars, Luxembourg has no showy activities. The pace of life here is still leisurely and liberal; a cool blue color, settling, mixing heaven and earth with people. Luxembourg never forgets to preserve its historical values, national cultural traditions. Perhaps, that is the reason why, despite being small, having been invaded for thousands of years, Luxembourg still maintained its sovereignty and rose to become a rich country, respected by friends.