Surmounting several distinct hurdles to quantum computing, physicists at Harvard University have found that individual carbon-13 atoms in a diamond lattice can be manipulated with extraordinary precision to create stable quantum mechanical memory and a small quantum processor, also known as a quantum register, operating at room temperature. The finding brings the futuristic technology of quantum information systems into the realm of solid-state materials under ordinary conditions. “These experiments lay the groundwork for development of a new approach to quantum information systems,” says Mikhail D. Lukin, professor of physics in Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Here you can find the whole story: Harvard University Gazette

Quantum computing is a huge field. Two good introductions can be found on the website of the Cornell University Library:

Quantum Computation explained to my Mother (7 pages, PDF)

An Introduction to Quantum Computing for Non-Physicists (45 pages, PDF)

(Thanks to dpapathanasiou, member of Y combinator startup news.)