Development of computational fluid dynamics at NASA Ames Research Center

Ames Research Center has the lead role among NASA centers to conduct research in computational fluid dynamics. The past, the present, and the future prospects in this field are reviewed. Past accomplishments include pioneering computer simulations of fluid dynamics problems that have made computers valuable in complementing wind tunnels for aerodynamic research. The present facilities include the most powerful computers built in the United States. Three examples of viscous flow simulations are presented: an afterbody with an exhaust plume, a blunt fin mounted on a flat plate, and the Space Shuttle. The future prospects include implementation of the Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation Processing System that will provide the capability for solving the viscous flow field around an aircraft in a matter of minutes

The Analogue Computer as a Voltage-Controlled Synthesiser

This paper re-appraises the role of analogue computers within electronic and computer music and provides some pointers to future areas of research. It begins by introducing the idea of analogue computing and placing in the context of sound and music applications. This is followed by a brief examination of the classic constituents of an analogue computer, contrasting these with the typical modular voltage-controlled synthesiser. Two examples are presented, leading to a discussion on some parallels between these two technologies. This is followed by an examination of the current state-of-the-art in analogue computation and its prospects for applications in computer and electronic music

Quantum Computing: Pro and Con

I assess the potential of quantum computation. Broad and important applications must be found to justify construction of a quantum computer; I review some of the known quantum algorithms and consider the prospects for finding new ones. Quantum computers are notoriously susceptible to making errors; I discuss recently developed fault-tolerant procedures that enable a quantum computer with noisy gates to perform reliably. Quantum computing hardware is still in its infancy; I comment on the specifications that should be met by future hardware. Over the past few years, work on quantum computation has erected a new classification of computational complexity, has generated profound insights into the nature of decoherence, and has stimulated the formulation of new techniques in high-precision experimental physics. A broad interdisciplinary effort will be needed if quantum computers are to fulfill their destiny as the world's fastest computing devices. (This paper is an expanded version of remarks that were prepared for a panel discussion at the ITP Conference on Quantum Coherence and Decoherence, 17 December 1996.)Comment: 17 pages, LaTeX, submitted to Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. A, minor correction

Quantum Gravity on a Quantum Chip

This essay aims at emphasizing the potential of a synergy between quantum gravity and the quantum computing technologies. Such a combination would be beneficial for both understanding the Planck scale physics and the stimulation of development of the quantum technologies. This is especially important in the present early days of commercial quantum computers, when challenges originating from the basic research may catalyze the technological progress. Our attention is focused on simulations of a Planck scale system with the use of existing adiabatic quantum computers. Current possibilities, technological challenges and prospects for the future are outlined.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure. Essay written for the Gravity Research Foundation 2018 Awards for Essays on Gravitatio

Extracting high fidelity quantum computer hardware from random systems

An overview of current status and prospects of the development of quantum computer hardware based on inorganic crystals doped with rare-earth ions is presented. Major parts of the experimental work in this area has been done in two places, Canberra, Australia and Lund, Sweden, and the present description follows more closely the Lund work. Techniques will be described that include optimal filtering of the initially inhomogeneously broadened profile down to well separated and narrow ensembles, as well as the use of advanced pulse-shaping in order to achieve robust arbitrary single-qubit operations with fidelities above 90%, as characterized by quantum state tomography. It is expected that full scalability of these systems will require the ability to determine the state of single rare-earth ions. It has been proposed that this can be done using special readout ions doped into the crystal and an update is given on the work to find and characterize such ions. Finally, a few aspects on the possibilities for remote entanglement of ions in separate rare-earth-ion-doped crystals are considered.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures. Written for The Proceedings of the Nobelsymposium on qubits for future quantum computers, Gothenburg, May-0

Human-machine interactions based on hand gesture recognition using deep learning methods

Human interaction with computers and other machines is becoming an increasingly important and relevant topic in the modern world. Hand gesture recognition technology is an innovative approach to managing computers and electronic devices that allows users to interact with technology through gestures and hand movements. This article presents deep learning methods that allow you to efficiently process and classify hand gestures and hand gesture recognition technologies for interacting with computers. This paper discusses modern deep learning methods such as convolutional neural networks (CNN) and recurrent neural networks (RNN), which show excellent results in gesture recognition tasks. Next, the development and implementation of a human-machine interaction system based on hand gesture recognition is discussed. System architectures are described, as well as technical and practical aspects of their application. In conclusion, the article summarizes the research results and outlines the prospects for the development of hand gesture recognition technology to improve human-machine interaction. The advantages and limitations of the technology are analyzed, as well as possible areas of its application in the future

Computer Science Education in Universal Basic Education (UBE): Problems and Prospects

Computer Science Education is very vital in the development of any society, as such no nation hope to develop without embracing Computer technology. In this paper aims and specific objectives of Universal Basic Education (UBE) in Nigeria were stated, the problems and prospects of Computer Science Education in UBE were outlined, some of the problems of computer science education are; inadequate and lack of qualified teachers, poor implementation and management strategy of computer programme, inadequate computer laboratories and insufficient computers in most schools, inadequate supply of electricity, insufficient schools and classrooms to enroll school aged children and drop-out among others. While some of the prospects are; the inclusion of Computer education as one of the core subject is a milestone toward achieving the objective of UBE, many states has began the computer education pilot programme in some selected schools such as in Katsina state, development of UBE new curriculum, interest shown by government in incorporating information and communication technology in administration and education and, offering of computer science as a course in most of the tertiary institutions in Nigeria, so as to provide enough and qualified teachers among others. Conclusively, recommendations/suggestions were provided in which if followed will ameliorate these problems and plan for future development. Keywords: Computer Science Education, Problems, Prospects, Universal Basic Education