A PHYSICS student has been selected among hundreds of applicants to present her world-class research to MPs on making super quantum computers.

Alex Moylett, 26, from Swindon and studying for a PhD at the University of Bristol, took her work into the Houses of Parliament for the STEM for Britain event.

She presented a poster showing her research and some of the challenges of building computers which use lasers to investigate the properties of light for making complex calculations.

As she explained to the Adver: “We can process the data faster and use it to solve problems much quicker.

“Rather than having wires we have been using pieces of glass which we send light down, and its that light which acts as data.

“Essentially it’s a little chip which we send lasers into and measure where the light comes out.”

The faster computers, once they are fully constructed commercially, could have many real-world applications, including simulating new drugs and improving AI learning.

The event is also important to meet with other researchers in the field and for those in parliament to see the scientific discoveries from the research at Bristol, one of the world leaders in quantum computers using light.

Stephen Metcalfe MP, chairman of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, said: “This annual competition is an important date in the parliamentary calendar because it gives MPs an opportunity to speak to a wide range of the country’s best young researchers.

“These early career engineers, mathematicians and scientists are the architects of our future and STEM for Britain is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”

Alex, who identifies as a transgender woman after transitioning since 2017, is working at the forefront of her field and enjoyed the opportunity to share her work.

She added: “Having the chance to present at STEM for Britain was great opportunity for me to engage with parliamentarians about the impact my research is going to have on the wider world.

“Ultimately these are the people who pay for the vast majority of research in the UK, so it does help to demonstrate the difference that funding is making.”