tellmarcosIn the age of rapid technological advancement, the concept of a quantum internet has captured the imagination of scientists and researchers worldwide. Unlike the classical internet we use today, a quantum internet promises to revolutionize communication by harnessing the strange and counterintuitive properties of quantum mechanics. In this article, we'll delve into the fascinating world of the quantum internet, exploring its potential applications, challenges, and the current state of research. tellhappystar tellgamestopWhat is the Quantum Internet? tellgamestop telldunkin.clickTo understand the quantum internet, we must first grasp the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics describes the behavior of matter and energy at the smallest scales, where classical physics no longer applies. Key features of quantum mechanics include superposition and entanglement, which form the foundation of quantum communication. tellculvers tellcitybbqSuperposition: In quantum mechanics, particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This property allows quantum bits or qubits to represent both 0 and 1 at the same time, significantly increasing computational power. tellcaribou tellbrueggersEntanglement: When two quantum particles become entangled, their properties become correlated in such a way that the state of one particle instantaneously affects the state of the other, regardless of the distance separating them. This property is at the heart of quantum teleportation and quantum cryptography. tellbostonmarket The Quantum Internet's Potential Applications: Ultra-Secure Communication: One of the most promising applications of the quantum internet is quantum cryptography, which enables perfectly secure communication. Any attempt to eavesdrop on quantum-encrypted messages would disrupt the entangled particles, alerting both the sender and receiver to the intrusion. Quantum Teleportation: Although it won't lead to instantaneous transportation as seen in science fiction, quantum teleportation allows the transfer of quantum states between distant locations, making it a crucial tool for quantum computing and communication. Quantum Computing: The quantum internet will pave the way for quantum computing, which has the potential to solve complex problems exponentially faster than classical computers. This could revolutionize fields like drug discovery, cryptography, and optimization. Challenges and Current Research: Building a quantum internet is no easy task and is fraught with challenges. Some of the key hurdles include: Quantum Decoherence: Quantum systems are extremely delicate and susceptible to external interference, leading to decoherence, which disrupts quantum states. Researchers are working on developing error-correction techniques to mitigate this issue. Quantum Repeaters: As entangled particles lose their coherence over distance, the development of quantum repeaters is crucial to extend the range of quantum communication. This involves creating intermediate nodes that re-establish entanglement between distant qubits. Practical Implementation: Transforming theoretical concepts into practical, scalable technologies is a significant challenge. Researchers are exploring various physical systems, such as trapped ions, superconducting circuits, and photon-based approaches, to create viable quantum communication devices. The quantum internet holds immense promise for the future of communication and computing. While many challenges remain to be overcome, researchers are making rapid progress in developing the necessary technologies. As the quantum internet inches closer to reality, it has the potential to transform industries, enhance security, and unlock new frontiers in science and technology, ushering in an era of truly quantum communication.

Queen and Freddie Mercury honored in Royal Mail postage stamps – Internet Philatelic Dealers Association Inc

Queen and Freddie Mercury honored in Royal Mail postage stamps

The UK’s Royal Mail has honored Queen and their late frontman Freddie Mercury in its newest postal stamps.

The 13 special stamps celebrate one of the most successful rock bands of all time. Queen has sold over 300 million records worldwide over five decades.

Queen’s lead vocalist, Freddie Mercury, died in 1991 at age 45 due to complications from AIDS. However the bisexual singer songwriter has left a lasting legacy as one of the most influential artists in rock music history.

One of the stamps remembers his flamboyant stage performances. It depicts Mercury performing to a crowd of 72,000 at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1986.

Stamps showing Queen live in concert.
The stamps showcase the band’s flamboyant live performances. Royal Mail

Other stamps in the collection show live performances from fellow band members Roger Taylor, John Deacon and Brian May.

Meanwhile the collection also has stamps showing the band’s most iconic album covers. They are Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night at the Opera, News of the World, The Game, Greatest Hits, The Works and Innuendo.

‘We have become a national institution’

Brian May said: ‘It’s hard to put into words what I feel when looking at these beautiful stamps. 

‘Since we four precocious boys started out on our quest 50 years ago, our lives have been devoted to making our impossible dream come true.

‘Sometimes it’s strange to wake up and realise the position in which we are now held – we have become a national institution!

‘It’s particularly poignant to look at this collection of images now – now that we are all in a world dominated by a coronavirus, in which none of this could have happened. 

‘I just know that I feel an overwhelming desire to own one of these sets! Somehow it will be a way of persuading myself that it really DID all happen!’

Royal Mail stamps honoring Queen's album covers.
The stamp collection shows Queen’s most iconic album covers. Royal Mail

Queen as approved by Queen Elizabeth

However, it is far from being the first time Queen has achieved recognition.

Alongside a batch of platinum, multi-platinum and gold albums, the four have won numerous Ivor Novello and BRIT awards. Queen is also in the Grammy Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The band has also featured on a commemorative UK £5 coin.

Meanwhile various organizations continue to remember Freddie Mercury.

Indeed, Norwegian Airlines even depicted him on the tailfins of two of their Boeing jets.

Google dedicated a Google Doodle to him in 2011. And last August, San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood inducted him to their Rainbow Honor Walk of fame.

Moreover scientists have named an asteroid after him. And one artist has even created a Freddie Mercury LEGO figure.

But it was the 2018 film, Bohemian Rhapsody, that reinvigorated their worldwide fame. The Oscar-winning movie exposed Queen and Freddie Mercury to new fans around the world.

However, Royal Mail’s recognition comes with approval from the real Queen. That’s because Queen Elizabeth agrees the design of all UK stamp designs before they enter circulation.

Fans will be able to buy a full set of the new stamps for £16 from 9 July. Meanwhile you can pre-order presentation packs here.

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