Topological insulators: mind the gap! | Gene Mele | TEDxPenn

How are quantum computers and the London Tube related? UPenn physicist and 2019 Breakthrough Prize laureate Dr. Gene Mele describes the theory behind topological insulators, a special class of materials that conduct electricity only on their surface and why they are revolutionizing the world around us. Mele outlines the mathematics of topology, the physics of insulators, and why our entire electronic world is about to get a lot, lot faster. Fresh off being named a winner of the 2019 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, Penn Professor Gene Mele will speak about his revolutionary work in condensed matter physics at TEDxPenn 2019. His work alongside Professor Charles Kane led to the theoretical discovery of topological insulators, materials with conductive surfaces and insulative interiors that could usher in a wave of new, super-efficient electronics and potentially even ultra-fast, incredibly powerful quantum computers-one of the greatest technological challenges of the century. His TED talk will cover the history of conductors and two different applications of his work going forward: things unfolding in the current moment and things he predicts will unfold with great optimism for the future. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@dhimanroy1671]

Within 10 years Mele and Kane will receive Nobel Prize!

[@alexanderm2220]

How he simplified the very complicated concepts is genius

[@LydellAaron]

10:31 I heart his humor where nobody laughed. Setup begins at 10:11

[@prajyotagrawal9737]

"Don't kid yourselves" - Sheldon Cooper

[@jeroenvankasteren9338]

Great talk! Thanks

[@geCk.0O]

This r&d is the future

[@user-wn8kb7ri4n]

Wish I had a teacher like him in high school!

[@mattman8685]

Excellent!

[@happysachan5906]

Such a beautiful talk, so inspiring ........

[@chaudry123]

Asking professors about why something happens then they answer wellllll it just happens. If they ask you the same and you answer the same then they come to reality and try to teach you what you already know. For instance they will say- everything happens for a reason. I think my comments are way irrelevant. Anyway mind the gap

[@mayaitkin2831]

so cool~

[@prajnaparomitachanda8677]

wonderful

[@NoNTr1v1aL]

5:04 It should be a solid sphere(a ball). A sphere is hollow and encloses a volume; something that a disc cannot do.

[@dougdimmedome5552]

Looks like Sheldon was wrong