Quantum physics is fundamental to our understanding of the world around us. Everything from the atoms in your body to the photons in a beam of light are quantum particles, which act bizarrely by appearing to be in many places at the same time or passing through barriers as if they're not there. Not only is this the basis of all matter and light, now a huge amount of technology depends on it - a smartphone contains at least seven different quantum technologies - yet most of us know little about this amazing science and the remarkable stories of the development of quantum applications from lasers to superconductors.

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Speaker profiles

Mr Brian Clegg Brian read Natural Sciences at Cambridge University and gained an MA in Operational Research at Lancaster University. From Lancaster, he joined British Airways, originally working in OR and later forming a new department tasked with developing hi-tech solutions for the airline. Brian left to set up his own company in 1994 and now concentrates on writing popular science books, with topics ranging from infinity to time machines. He also writes for magazines and newspapers from The Observer and The Wall Street Journal to BBC Focus Playboy. He gives regular talks and has contributed to a range of radio and TV programmes.