The random revolution

Hands-on at the exhibit

• Test your ability to pick a random sequence on our app
• Play a head-to-head game of randomness involving 3D LED cubes
• Use a model to see how quantum tunnelling is used in our random number generator

Find out more

From cyber-security to gaming, how quantum physics can create the true randomness we need.

The digital world relies on randomness. From lotteries to encryption algorithms in every message sent over the internet, a trustworthy source of random numbers is required. A solution is on the horizon thanks to the natural unpredictability of quantum mechanics. At this exhibit meet the quantum random number generator being developed in the UK.

Generating random numbers is surprisingly difficult for both humans and machines. Current solutions can lead to predictable results, resulting in catastrophic outcomes. One flaw in a random number generator discovered in 2017 affected tens of millions of devices, including the ID cards of everyone in Estonia. The intrinsic uncertainty in quantum physics makes it an ideal candidate as a source of randomness. A team at Lancaster University and Quantum Base is on a quest to develop an all-electric, low-power, nanoscale quantum random number generator. It can be integrated into current systems, such as smartphones and credit cards, and produces truly random numbers.

Find out more about Quantum Base Ltd., the Young-Quantum Group and Physics at Lancaster University.

Presented by Lancaster University, Quantum Base Ltd., Appleyard Lees IP LLP and BlackRidge.