The What’s and Why’s of Quantum Computing (Quirky Quantum, Assoc. Prof. Fiona Burnell)

The third lecture in the Quirky Quantum 2026 Summer lecture series, delivered on July 7th, 2026 by Fiona Burnell You've probably heard of quantum computers, but what actually makes them so powerful? Assoc. Prof. Fiona Burnell, theoretical physicist at UMN, breaks down the strange quantum phenomena behind them, including the effect Einstein famously dismissed as "spooky action at a distance." Videographers: Tony Karna and Alan Wivell, University Video Production Services