With the advent of quantum computers, traditional cryptographic methods face unprecedented threats.  In the latest episode of our podcast, we invited two guests from the Applied Security and Information Assurance (APSIA) Group at SnT (University of Luxembourg to discuss it: Prof. Peter Ryan and Dr. Peter Roenne.

Listeners will discover how quantum key distribution (QKD) works (or as Prof. Ryan calls it: quantum key establishment), leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics to create secure communication channels. The conversation also touches on the engineering challenges involved in implementing these technologies, particularly as we move toward a future where quantum computers may become a reality.

USEFUL LINKS

APSIA group - https://www.uni.lu/snt-en/research-groups/apsia/

Quantum algorithm article on Quanta Magazine Hanna mentioned - https://www.quantamagazine.org/quantum-speedup-found-for-huge-class-of-hard-problems-20250317/

Prof. Peter Ryan's publications - https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=k2Uy_t4AAAAJ&hl=en

More about Dr. Peter Roenne - https://sites.google.com/site/peterroenne/

No-cloning theorem - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-cloning_theorem

This week we enter the Quantum Day celebrations starting with an episode with Professor Ignacio Cirac, a distinguished theoretical physicist and director at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics.

Professor Cirac begins by addressing a common sentiment surrounding quantum physics: fear and confusion. He emphasises that the threshold for understanding these concepts is surprisingly low, and with the right explanations, anyone can grasp the fundamentals. This is particularly important as we navigate the intricate world of quantum computers, which, although not fully realised yet, promise to solve problems far beyond the capabilities of classical computers.

One of the key concepts discussed is the notion of qubits, the building blocks of quantum computing. Unlike traditional bits, which can exist in a state of 0 or 1, qubits can inhabit multiple states simultaneously, thanks to the principle of superposition. This unique property allows quantum computers to perform calculations at unprecedented speeds.

The conversation also touches upon the critical issue of error correction in quantum computing. As quantum systems are inherently delicate, errors can easily arise during calculations. Professor Cirac explains the advancements in error correction methods that have been made in recent years, highlighting the balance between correcting errors and not introducing new ones.

As the episode progresses, listeners learn about the various applications of quantum computing, from cryptography to optimisation problems in industries such as logistics and material science. Professor Cirac expresses his excitement about the potential for quantum computers to simulate complex physical systems, which could lead to breakthroughs in science and technology.

The episode also contains a thought-provoking pub quiz question: how many qubits would be required for a quantum computer to crack modern encryption methods? Listen to it all to find out!

USEFUL LINKS

Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics - https://www.mpq.mpg.de/en

Prof. Ignacio Cirac on Google Scholar - https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=gPGlTbgAAAAJ&hl=en

Prof Ignacio Cirac - Video Portrait - https://youtu.be/c8RmEDH4cDg?feature=shared

Join us as together with Prof. Carole Linster (LCSB) and Prof. Rafael Fernandez Chacon (IBIS) we explore rare metabolic diseases and the innovative research happening between Luxembourg and Seville. Carole and Rafael talk about their focus on rare diseases categorised under a disorder known as Batten disease or neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCLs). We also have a chance to compare different models employing mice and zebrafish.

Last but not least, one of the key takeaways of this episode is the importance of fundamental research - which is something we always love discussing.

USEFUL LINKS

Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) - https://www.uni.lu/lcsb-en/

Enzymology & Metabolism Group led by Prof. Carole Linster - https://www.uni.lu/lcsb-en/research-groups/enzymology-metabolism/

IBiS - https://www.ibis-sevilla.es/en/

Molecular Physiology of the Synapse at IBiS - https://www.ibis-sevilla.es/en/research/neurosciences/molecular-physiology-of-the-synapse/members/

If you're curious about the complexities of cognitive psychology and want to learn more about how we perceive numbers and deal with maths anxiety, this episode with Dr. Mila Marinova from University of Luxembourg is a must-listen.

One of the key points discussed was the prevalent issue of maths anxiety, which affects many individuals and often leads to a fear of mathematical tasks. Mila highlighted that maths anxiety is distinct from general anxiety and can significantly hinder one's performance in mathematics. 

We also explored the impact of language on learning, especially in a multilingual context like Luxembourg. Mila noted that language proficiency is crucial for mastering mathematical concepts, as many students struggle when they are not fluent in the language of instruction. This is particularly relevant for children who are learning to count and understand numbers, as their grasp of these concepts can be influenced by their linguistic abilities.

As Mila is also an experienced science communicator, we talked in general about cognitive psychology and the inspirations for her posts on Instagram. Make sure you have time to listen to this amazing episode!

USEFUL LINKS

Mila's Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/dr.mila.marinova/

Mila's Website: https://milamarinova.com/

David Eagleman's "Livewired" - https://eagleman.com/books/livewired/

Paper about GenAi and counting - https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.03328

Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences at the University of Luxembourg - https://www.uni.lu/fhse-en/research-departments/department-of-behavioural-and-cognitive-sciences/

"If you have no specification of what the program should be doing, you have no errors, you only have surprises," that's one of the things we learnt from our latest guest, Prof. Andreas Zeller, tenured faculty at CISPA and professor for Software Engineering at Saarland University. It was great to revisit software engineering in more depth, focusing on testing and fuzzing and not forgetting the importance of documentation in programming.

A must-listen for everyone! Prof. Andreas Zeller's expertise and engaging storytelling make for an enlightening experience that will leave you with a deeper understanding of the intricacies of software development.

USEFUL LINKS

More about Prof. Andreas Zeller - https://cispa.de/en/people/zeller

CISPA - https://www.cispa.saarland

Saarland University - https://saarland-informatics-campus.de/en/

Our latest guest, Prof. Jan Lagerwall from University of Luxembourg, knew how to catch our interest - he brought some samples to the studio. So this episode is not only a discussion about soft matter physics and liquid crystals, but Hanna is also challenged to describe what she sees. And you wouldn’t believe how many applications liquid crystals and liquid crystal rubbers can have. What an episode!

USEFUL LINKS

See the samples for yourself - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpnPRmMWKB8

ESMP - Experimental Soft Matter Physics Group - https://www.lcsoftmatter.com/

Jan Lagerwall's Website - https://www.janlagerwall.eu/

Trace Crystal - https://tracecrystal.com/

More about Jan's research - https://www.fnr.lu/research-with-impact-fnr-highlight/25-examples-of-research-with-impact-innovation-beyond-solid-liquid-or-gas/

Cover photo taken by Dr. Yong Geng.

In the third episode of this month, we re-explore the world of lunar resource utilization with Timon Schild, a PhD student at the European Space Resources Innovation Center (ESRIC). Join us as Timon unpacks the concept of In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) and its implications for future lunar missions.

Timon shares insights on lunar regolith—what it is, how it forms, and the unique challenges it presents for exploration and extraction. We also discuss cutting-edge technologies like molten salt electrolysis that could enable us to extract oxygen and metals directly from lunar material.

USEFUL LINKS

ESRIC - https://www.esric.lu/

Space Resources Week 2025 - https://www.spaceresourcesweek.lu/

More about Timon Schild - https://www.list.lu/en/news/spotlight-on-phd-student-timon-schild-eyes-on-the-moon-and-feet-on-the-ground/?no_cache=1&cHash=1eeb39a62b3a2d51ccc7f97d41a753ab

Take-Off Show Episode about Space - https://youtu.be/O5keQCzCJ8w?si=QA-E69iZcrT_LrXN

In this week's episode, we talked to Professor Charles Spence, head of the Crossmodal Research Laboratory at the University of Oxford. Known for his innovative research on how our senses interact to shape our experiences, Professor Spence shares fascinating insights into the psychology of taste and smell.

Join us as we explore the implications of this research for food design, the ethics of sensory manipulation, and the future of dining experiences. From the impact of cutlery weight to the role of sensory overload in our modern lives, this episode is a rich tapestry of science, curiosity, and culinary delight.

USEFUL LINKS: 

The Crossmodal Research Laboratory at the University of Oxford - https://www.futureoffood.ox.ac.uk/article/crossmodal-research-laboratory

More about Prof. Charles Spence - https://www.psy.ox.ac.uk/people/charles-spence

Gastrophysics: The New Science of Eating by Charles Spence - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32970441-gastrophysics

Senshacking by Charles Spence - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42184219-sensehacking

And what if we looked closer at our hair?

In our latest episode, our guest is Prof. Brice Appenzeller, head of the Human Biomonitoring Research Unit at the Luxembourg Institute of Health. After reminding our listeners what exposome is, Brice elaborates on the various agents we may be exposed to, including physical, microbiological, and chemical pollutants. He emphasizes that while we often hear about individual pollutants, the reality is that we are exposed to a complex mixture of chemicals on a daily basis. This multifaceted exposure can significantly impact our health, making it crucial for us to understand and monitor these interactions.

One of the key methods Brice discusses is biomonitoring, which involves analyzing biological samples—such as urine, blood, and hair—to detect the presence of chemicals or their by-products. Hair samples, in particular, offer a fascinating insight into long-term exposure and can reveal compounds that may not be detectable in other types of samples. And this is Brice's specialisation.

USEFUL LINKS

Brice Appenzeller on LIH Website - https://researchportal.lih.lu/en/persons/brice-appenzeller/projects/

Society of Hair Testing - https://www.soht.org/

RELATED EPISODES:

- Interview with Prof. Emma Schymanski: https://www.scilux.eu/episodes/unknown-chemicals

- Interview with Dr. Dagny Aurich: https://www.scilux.eu/episodes/exposomics

- Interview with Dr. Guy Fagherazzi: https://www.scilux.eu/episodes/colive-voice

The episode cover is designed using a graphic downloaded from vecteezy.com

In this episode learn more about environmental engineering from Dr. Silvia Venditti, an expert in nature-based solutions for water treatment. With a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London, Silvia is currently working at the University of Luxembourg, focusing on the removal of micropollutants from wastewater.

Silvia explains how nature-based solutions mimic natural processes to restore ecosystems, offering low-cost, resilient alternatives to traditional high-tech methods. Discover the challenges and innovations in using constructed wetlands to tackle micropollutants and the potential for creating valuable resources from waste.

Silvia also shares insights into her projects aiming to integrate nature-based solutions in urban areas and address stormwater runoff.

USEFUL LINKS

Silvia Venditti's research - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Silvia-Venditti

More about nature-based solutions - https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en

EmiSûre project - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duH7tUYrXB8

Constructed wetlands - FNR Highlights: https://www.fnr.lu/research-with-impact-fnr-highlight/spotlight-on-young-researchers-constructed-wetlands-a-new-approach-to-treating-wastewater/

Amazing Polish book about water - https://wydawnictwopoznanskie.pl/produkt/woda-historia-pewnego-porwania-seria-reporterska-wydawnictwa-poznanskiego/