Today’s physics news: A new era of quantum computing, GCSEs

Physics news for Monday 3 September 2012.

New era of quantum computing hailed

The British Science Association has today launched the British Science Festival with a quantum computing story from researchers at Bristol University. Silicon chips that exploit the weird properties of quantum physics could be common components in laptops and smart phones within a few years, say the researchers.

Press Association

GCSEs should be overhauled, Ofsted’s Sir Michael Wilshaw says

GCSE exams should be “thoroughly overhauled,” the chief schools inspector in England has said. Sir Michael Wilshaw’s comments come after the refusal of exam regulator Ofqual to order exam boards to regrade this summer’s GCSEs in English. Sir Michael said the row was a “really good opportunity” to examine whether examinations were “rigorous enough”.

BBC

It’s thrilling to see science take centre stage in the national conversation

In light of the recent celebration of science at the Paralympic opening ceremoney, Sir Paul Nurse says that if we capitalise on the current surge of interest in science we can make this new Enlightenment a reality and the world a better place. Nurse says that Britain is a world leader in science and that this this should be reflected in George Osbourne and Vince Cable’s strategy for economic recovery.

The Guardian