"Beam me up, Scotty:" Demystifying the Quantum World

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Our fifth season of "Science Straight Up" kicks off with Dr. Michael Wasielewski of Northwestern University talking about the basics of quantum theory and how it will change our lives.  We can't beam people aboard the starship just yet, but teleportation of information using quantum techniques is happening right now. Many of us have heard about quantum computers and some of the amazing things that they will do, literally a “quantum leap” in performance. However, this is not the whole story. The quantum world and innovative technologies being developed from it will significantly enhance secure communications and be capable of sensing single atoms and molecules, even when they are within living cells. How does this work? Dr Wasielewski has some answers.  Our session was moderated by veteran broadcast journalists Judy Muller and George Lewis.