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SpinQ Gemini is a commercial desktop quantum computing platform designed and manufactured by SpinQ Technology. It is an integrated hardware-software system. The first generation product with two qubits was launched in January 2020. The hardware is based on NMR spectrometer, with permanent magnets providing ∼1 T magnetic field. SpinQ Gemini operates under room temperature (0–30°C), highlighting its lightweight (55 kg with a volume of$70\times 40 \times 80\text{ cm}^{3}$70×40×80 cm3), cost-effective (under 50k USD), and maintenance-free. SpinQ Gemini aims to provide real-device experience for quantum computing education for K-12 and at the college level. It also features quantum control design capabilities that benefit the researchers studying quantum control and quantum noise. Since its first launch, SpinQ Gemini has been shipped to institutions in Canada, Taiwan and Mainland China. This paper introduces the system of design of SpinQ Gemini, from hardware to software. We also demonstrate examples for performing quantum computing tasks on SpinQ Gemini, including one task for a variational quantum eigensolver of a two-qubit Heisenberg model. The next generations of SpinQ quantum computing devices will adopt models of more qubits, advanced control functions for researchers with comparable cost, as well as simplified models for much lower cost (under 5k USD) for K-12 education. We believe that low-cost portable quantum computing products will facilitate hands-on experience for teaching quantum computing at all levels, well-prepare younger generations of students and researchers for the future of quantum technologies.

Nanoparticles in the environment can form by natural processes or be released due to human activities. Owing to limited analytical methods, the behaviour of nanoparticles in the natural environment is poorly understood and until now they have only been described by the variations in the nanoparticle size or the concentration of the element of interest. Here we show that by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to measure silver (Ag) isotope ratios it is possible to understand the transformation processes of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the environment. We found that the formation and dissolution of AgNPs under natural conditions caused significant variations in the ratio of natural Ag isotopes ((107)Ag and (109)Ag) with an isotopic enrichment factor (ε) up to 0.86‰. Furthermore, we show that engineered AgNPs have distinctly different isotope fractionation effects to their naturally formed counterparts. Further studies will be needed to understand whether isotope analysis can be used to reveal the sources of AgNPs in the environment.

Epitaxial γ - Al 2 O 3 films were fabricated on SrTiO3 (1 0 0) substrates using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The high quality of epitaxial growth γ - Al 2 O 3 films was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images indicated the smooth surfaces and the step-flow growth of the films. In order to illuminate the electronic properties and the local structure of the epitaxial γ - Al 2 O 3 , we experimentally measured the X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectrum at the O K-edge and compared the spectrum with the theoretical simulations by using various structure models. Our results based on XANES spectrum analysis indicated that the structure of the epitaxial γ - Al 2 O 3 film was a defective spinel with Al vacancies, which prefer to be located at the octahedral sites.

The aim of the paper is to present a conceptual exploration on how a newly emerged distribution service business in China is developed, interpreted and modelled. The study draws on a recent case from a fast expanding 3PL company in China and frames the case with a conceptual flow-model and interprets it mathematically by using a linear bi-level programming algorism. It finds that recent advances in the steel bar logistics practices in China have been phenomenal. The emerging business model is set to define the standard for the industrial sector. The logistics process and structure changes were primarily driven by not only the higher returns on investment to the participating members individually, but also by that of the total supply chain. The emerged steel bar logistics service model studied here represents a new business evolution in the 3PL service industry ever seen in China. The application of bi-level programming algorithm in assessing returns on investment and the total supply chain value has been original.