In an agency press release dated October 9, 2012 NIST , The National Institute of Standards and Technology has announced that one of its scientists, David J. Wineland, has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. NIST is a branch of The Department of Commerce a Cabinet level department within the Executive Branch of the U.S. government. This years prize was divided between two recipients, the other is Frenchman Serge Haroche. Wineland is also a lecturer at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Says NIST of the award: “We’re so excited for Dave, along with his many colleagues and friends around the world, for this recognition of decades of world-leading research...”

Wineland, a quantum physicist, is making strides in the development of a new generation of computers. A NIST spokes person stated that he is enabling: “the very first steps towards building a new type of super fast computer based on quantum physics." With every advance in technology there is a downside. Ambitious readers of their EULA License (End-User License Agreement) on consumer operating systems such as Windows or OS X may have noted that up until quite recently export of these products was forbidden by the Department of Commerce. This is because these programs have the capability of strong encryption. Quantum computing is set to break the back of strong encryption algorithms (CIA level and above data encryption) creating yet another avenue of government intrusion on peoples everyday lives.