Science Spinning On Dublin City Fm

Quantum Computers, Wave Energy off Ireland, Innovation Academy  IMAGE: The wave energy that resides off the coastline of Ireland could provide 40 per cent of our electricity needs, experts state. [credit: www.ecofriend.org/]  What's it all about? Experts state that a quantum computer, based on manipulation of atoms, could make today's computers look like a child's abacus. But, how do they work, and when can all expect to be using them? We ask Michael McGettrick, School of Mathematics at NUI Galway to explain.  The question is? It is estimated that wave power could provide up to 40 per cent of Ireland's electricity needs, reducing energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions hugely in the process. The potential is there to lead the world in wave energy, but how likely is it to happen? We ask Tony Lewis of the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre at UCC.  Inventive minds Where will Ireland get enough highly-educated entrepreneurs to drive the 'knowledge economy'? Well one place might be as g