DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Duke researchers are spearheading an effort to build one of the largest quantum computers in academia that some say can be a game-changer in science and technology.

"It's an entirely new way of storing and processing information," Chris Monroe said.

Monroe is the director of the Duke Quantum Center, where researchers got the green light and funding to plan a 256-qubit trapped-ion quantum computer.

Quantum computers are made of something called qubits, which researchers use lasers to create. There are a few quantum computers in the Triangle, including at the Duke Quantum Center.

"At the very least, one could expect that building quantum computers on a 300-qubit scale will improve computing as a whole," Assistant Professor of Physics Marko Cetina said.

Cetina exp

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