Quantum leap into the realm of plain English

STIRRING UP A CLOUD of atoms that are almost - but not quite - frozen solid may help to deliver the most powerful computers yet devised. The technical challenges required to achieve this goal of quantum computing are enormous, but describing these challenges to a non-scientific audience can require a quantum leap of public speaking.

At the 2008 Science Speak Competition in the RDS in Dublin last week, PhD students from each of the seven Irish universities had to explain their work to a lay audience, using ordinary language and without recourse to scientific jargon. Suzanne McEndoo of University College Cork claimed first prize in the event. Calculations with Quantum Whirlpools was the disarming title of her presentation, but behind it lurked staggeringly complex physics, based in quantum mechanics and quantum computing.

It involves the entirely theoretical study of a state of matter called a Bose-Einstein condensate, clouds of atoms brought to within a billionth of a degree of absolute zero. Chilled to this temperature, the atoms abandon their normally random movement and fall into step, moving in unison.

Advanced mathematics and computer modelling allow McEndoo to simulate the manipulation of these atom clouds, including the ability to stir them up to form the tiny whirlpools mentioned in the title of her talk.

These same whirlpools may serve as memory elements in a future quantum computer, she explained. The spin direction of the whirlpool could convey information but so too could the remarkable phenomenon in these clouds that allows a single whirlpool to spin in both directions simultaneously. It is known as "superposition" and is a fundamental characteristic of quantum computing, McEndoo said.

The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, was on hand on the night to present the awards and offer congratulations to all of the contestants.

Ireland needed researchers of their calibre in order to develop our knowledge economy, Hanafin said, adding that it was essential that scientists be able to explain their work to help people, including children, to understand scientific concepts such as climate change.

Now in its third year, Science Speak is an initiative organised by the RDS, The Irish Times and Irish Universities Promoting Science. Support for the event comes from sponsors Discover Science and Engineering and from Wyeth Ireland. McEndoo received €1,000 for her winning entry. Second place and a cheque for €300 went to Rory McKeown from NUI Galway for his talk, From Biohazards to Biofuels: Using Microorganisms to Clean Up Toxic Wastewaters.

Third prize, worth €200, went to Billy Fleming, representing University College Dublin with his talk, The Nature of Chemistry, which described his study of catalysts in drug development.

Four runner-up prizes of €100 each went to Dublin City University's Naomi Walsh for her presentation, Target Practice: The Use of Targeted Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer; NUI Maynooth's Eileen Clifford for Cannabis: A Possible Therapeutic Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis; Keith McQuillan of Trinity College Dublin for Alzheimer's Disease: When Plaques Attack"; and Ms Sharon Murphy representing the University of Limerick with Bone Grafts: No Longer Just a Chip off the Ol' Hip.

Wyeth has indicated its willingness to continue its financial support for Science Speak. RTÉ presenter Pat Kenny compered the event. The judging panel included Discover Science and Engineering's Peter Brabazon, the Met Office's Evelyn Cusack, Fossett's Circus artistic and technical director Robert Fossett, RTÉ education and science correspondent Emma O'Kelly and this reporter.