Imagine a world where the very fabric of reality bends to our will through quantum computing—a technology that's not just revolutionary, but potentially game-changing for everything from medicine to climate science. But here's where it gets controversial: Are we rushing into a quantum future without fully grasping the ethical dilemmas it might unleash? Dive in as we explore this week's breakthroughs and ponder the bigger picture.
This week's Nobel Prize in Physics shines a spotlight on three trailblazers who laid the groundwork for quantum computing. In our newsletter The Prototype, we're covering this year's award, an AI-powered startup tackling pathogen detection, a cool quantum cooling advance, and plenty more. Want The Prototype delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up right here (https://www.forbes.com/newsletter/the-prototype).
Goeran Johansson, a member of the Nobel Committee for Physics, speaks at the press conference announcing the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics.
AFP via Getty Images
Three pioneering researchers have been honored with the Nobel Prize in Physics this week for their foundational work that powers today's quantum computers. John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis will split the roughly $1.2 million prize for their groundbreaking experiments back in the 1980s.
Their key achievement involved creating a superconducting electric circuit, which lets electricity flow without any resistance. Within this circuit, they manipulated electrons to exhibit quantum mechanical behaviors—think of it like teaching tiny particles to behave in ways that defy everyday physics, such as existing in multiple states at once. This breakthrough is now the backbone of quantum computers developed by giants like Google and IBM, enabling them to tackle complex calculations that traditional computers can't handle efficiently. For beginners, quantum mechanics might sound like science fiction, but it's the real science behind why these computers could one day simulate drug interactions or optimize global supply chains in seconds.
And this is the part most people miss: All three scientists are still pushing the boundaries. Clarke, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, has applied this tech to build tools for the Axion Dark Matter Experiment, aimed at uncovering dark matter—a mysterious substance believed to constitute over 80% of the universe's mass. Martinis, who spent time from 2014 to 2020 at Google's Quantum A.I. lab developing quantum processors, has since co-founded Qolab, a startup focused on advancing quantum computing. Devoret serves as Chief Scientist at Google's Quantum A.I. lab.
“I feel deeply honored to share this prize with my colleagues and friends John Clarke and John Martinis,” Devoret remarked in a statement. “This Nobel Prize isn't just about three people; it's a tribute to the global community's 40-year odyssey in quantum research.”
But here's where it gets controversial: With quantum computing's potential to crack encryption codes that secure our digital lives, are we opening Pandora's box? Should governments regulate this tech to prevent misuse, or is innovation too vital to stifle? What do you think—share your views in the comments!
This Startup Secured $7 Million to Combat Microbes Using AI
Matt Theurer, CEO of Hyperspectral
Hyperspectral
Spotting harmful toxins and bacteria poses a huge hurdle for healthcare providers and food industry players. The issue stems from the intricate nature of microscopic dangers and the tedious, time-consuming lab tests required to identify them.
Matt Theurer gained firsthand insight during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, when quick testing wasn't yet widespread. “We all recall queuing for hours just to get swabbed, only to wait two or three days for results,” he recalled. “It was painfully slow, overly centralized, and prohibitively costly.”
His venture, Hyperspectral, founded in 2022 with Theurer as CEO, Lauren Stack as COO, and Vince Lubsey as CTO, is tackling this head-on. They employ spectrography combined with AI to swiftly pinpoint dangerous microbes or chemicals. This week, the company secured (https://www.hyperspectral.ai/hyperspectral-raises-7m-in-oversubscribed-series-a-2-round-to-accelerate-growth/) a $7 million extension to its Series A round, boosting total funding to around $15.5 million, though the valuation remains undisclosed.
Spectrography operates on a straightforward concept: shining specific light frequencies at objects causes them to reflect or absorb light in unique patterns, allowing scientists to distinguish substances. Hyperspectral's AI, trained on data from countless pathogens, can analyze samples and flag contamination in mere minutes.
With fresh funds, Theurer explains that Hyperspectral is “graduating from beta testing” and gearing up to offer its “science as a service” to initial clients. “From there, we're poised for rapid expansion,” he added. For those new to this, imagine AI acting like a super-smart detective, scanning samples faster than any human lab could, potentially saving lives by catching outbreaks early.
Discovery of the Week: A (Slightly) Warmer Path to Quantum Superconductivity
Quantum hardware firm EeroQ has unveiled (https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4525030-1&h=939833693&u=https%3A%2F%2Fjournals.aps.org%2Fprx%2Fabstract%2F10.1103%2Fvcl7-73ms&a=publication+of+its+latest+research+in+Physical+Review+X+(PRX)) that its superconducting chip can function at temperatures just over 1 Kelvin— that's one degree above absolute zero. Traditionally, quantum computers with these chips need cooling to 0.01 K. While a small jump, it's a major leap toward practicality, as reaching below 1 K demands pricey, specialized gear not required for 1 K. (As a side note, this development spells trouble for firms eyeing helium-3 mining (https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/2025/08/29/moon-mining-heiium-interlune/) on the Moon, since quantum computing relies on that isotope for ultra-low-temperature cooling.)
And this is the part most people miss: Could this warmer operation democratize quantum tech, making it accessible beyond elite labs? Or does it risk compromising performance in ways we haven't foreseen yet?
What Else I Wrote This Week
Thomas Gallagher and I delved into (https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasgallagher/2025/10/09/this-space-billionaire-rival-to-elon-musk-just-got-500-million-richer/) how space mogul Abel Avellan nearly doubled his wealth in the last month thanks to AST SpaceMobile's partnerships with Verizon and other telecom titans. I featured Avellan earlier this year (https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2025/05/21/this-billionaire-immigrant-is-racing-elon-musk-to-connect-your-phone-from-space/).
In my other newsletter, InnovationRx, Amy Feldman and I examined (https://www.forbes.com/sites/innovationrx/2025/10/08/how-the-shutdown-impacts-healthcare/) the effects of the federal shutdown on healthcare, the Nobel laureates in medicine, a fresh biotech startup from scientist-billionaire Robert Langer, and additional topics.
Science and Tech Tidbits
Silicon Valley's Lilac Solutions is pioneering lithium extraction (https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2025/10/10/a-250-million-plan-to-pull-lithium-for-batteries-from-the-great-salt-lake/) from salty waters at oil sites and places like Utah's Great Salt Lake, bypassing traditional mining.
Florida International University researchers have crafted cyber defenses (https://news.fiu.edu/2025/shield-activated-researchers-build-a-defense-to-protect-drones-from-cyberattacks) for drones to thwart hijacking attempts.
Rocket company Stoke Space secured a $510 million funding round (https://www.stokespace.com/stoke-space-technologies-raises-510-million-to-scale-manufacturing-of-fully-reusable-nova-launch-vehicle/) to speed up its reusable Nova spacecraft and finish its Cape Canaveral launch site.
Brain-computer interface firm Cognixion kicked off a clinical trial (https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/cognixion-launches-clinical-study-integrating-non-invasive-brain-comp-1079129) pairing its software with Apple Vision Pro to help paralyzed individuals communicate and control computers. I covered (https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2025/03/12/this-startup-lets-paralyzed-people-use-computerswithout-a-chip-in-their-head/) Cognixion's tech earlier this year.
An international science team brought back to life microbes frozen in permafrost (https://www.colorado.edu/today/2025/10/02/researchers-wake-microbes-trapped-permafrost-thousands-years) for millennia.
MIT engineers invented a 3D-printable aluminum alloy (https://news.mit.edu/2025/printable-aluminum-alloy-sets-strength-records-may-enable-lighter-aircraft-parts-1007) that's five times tougher than standard cast aluminum, perfect for lightweight aircraft components that now use heavier titanium.
Pro Science Tip: Keep Your Brain Sharp with Creative Hobbies
To maintain a youthful mind, embrace a creative pastime. This insight comes from a recent study (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-64173-9?etrid=17151789&etcid=5753402) analyzing over 1,400 people's brains. Researchers discovered that long-term engagement in creative activities—like playing music, painting, or writing—results in “younger” brains, based on cognitive assessments and scans. Fascinatingly, the specific hobby didn't matter; each one “safeguards brain pathways prone to rapid aging,” noted (https://www.tcd.ie/news_events/articles/2025/international-study-shows-creative-experiences-delay-brain-aging/) co-author Carlos Coronel. For example, even doodling or composing poetry could help preserve mental agility as we age.
What's Entertaining Me This Week
While debates rage over Taylor Swift's latest release (it's decent, but not exceptional), allow me to recommend my pick for 2025's top pop album: Born Blue (https://www.kingselliot.com/#album) by singer-songwriter Kings Eliot. This debut is a tour de force, brimming with heartfelt ballads such as “Ashes In The Morning,” sultry slow tracks like “Starcrossed,” and upbeat hits like “The Promise.” The songs showcase Elliot's profound talent and versatility, and I'm eager to watch her musical journey unfold.
More From Forbes
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As we wrap up, let's reflect on the quantum leaps in this article—from Nobel honors to AI microbe hunters. But here's the controversial twist: With tech advancing so rapidly, are we prioritizing innovation over the potential risks, like quantum-enabled cyber threats or environmental impacts from new mining? Do you agree that creativity keeps our brains young, or is there a better way to stay sharp? Share your thoughts, agreements, or disagreements in the comments—let's discuss!
