If you're unfamiliar with IBM Q, it's the company's Quantum Computing division, tasked with making advancements in the fields of computer science and its potential application in the business and science sectors. IBM Q recently took a significant step forward, with the company announcing that it successfully built and tested two quantum-powered computers. 

Created under the banner of IBM Q's Quantum Experience, it has been designed with accessibility to the IBM Cloud, allowing users to test our their algorithms and experiment with both quantum processors.  

According to Engadget, the new processors measure 16 and 17 quantum bits (qubits), which is more than three times the previous model's mark of 5 qubits. The result of this step means than IBM's new Quantum processors can deal with computing tasks that normal computers cannot, and theoretically help decipher problems in the fields of pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence and neuroscience. 

While we're some time off from IBM addressing those complex issues, the new processors open up the capacity for the company to begin running far more experiments. The 5 qubit version for example, has run an estimated 300 000 experiments since it opened last year. With two new processors at triple the operating power, that number will rise immensely.   

Certainly a complex subject to dissect, listen to Jerry Chow, manager of the IBM Experimental Quantum Experience break it down in his TED talk below.