Microsoft has unveiled a major breakthrough in quantum computing with its new Majorana 1 chip, which the company claims is powered by a new state of matter. CEO Satya Nadella described it as a fundamental leap in computing that could accelerate the timeline for developing a meaningful quantum computer from decades to just years.

The Majorana 1 processor utilizes a new topological architecture that Microsoft says offers a clear path to scaling up to a million qubits on a single chip small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. This level of qubit density is considered a key threshold for quantum computers to deliver transformative real-world solutions.

Microsoft's new quantum chip is based on topological superconductors, a novel material the company fabricated atom by atom. This approach aims to produce more stable qubits compared to existing quantum computing methods, potentially overcoming major hurdles in the field.

While the announcement represents a significant step forward, it does not mean commercially useful quantum computing is imminent. However, it joins other recent advancements that suggest more widespread adoption may come sooner than previously expected. In December, Google unveiled its Willow quantum chip, which it claims can perform certain benchmark computations far faster than classical supercomputers.

The potential applications of large-scale quantum computers include breaking down microplastics, inventing self-healing materials, and solving complex optimization problems across various industries. Microsoft believes the combination of quantum computing and artificial intelligence could be particularly powerful for modeling chemistry, physics, and other scientific domains.

However, some industry leaders remain skeptical about the near-term potential of quantum computing. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently suggested it may still be 20 years before the technology becomes "very useful."

Despite the challenges ahead, Microsoft's announcement has generated excitement in the tech and scientific communities. If the company's claims about its topological qubit architecture prove accurate, it could represent a major milestone on the path to practical quantum computing.