Quantum contextuality
Recently, quantum contextuality has been explored as a potential tool for quantum computing. In 2013, Robert Raussendorf showed that in general, any Mermin-like, inequality-free proof for quantum contextuality (such as the Kochen-Specker theorem) can be turned into a measurement-based quantum computation. More formally, "under quite natural assumptions for multi-qubit systems, MBQCs (measurement based quantum computations) which compute a non-linear Boolean function with sufficiently high success probability are contextual." Then in 2014, Mark Howard, et. al. showed that applying contextuality to magic state distillation (MSD) provides a means for arriving at universal, fault-tolerant quantum computing. MSD is a process by which a single qubit's polarization is increased along one of several "magic" directions and its state is considered "magic" once its polarization reaches a certain level. In particular, the group proved that states are non-contextual if and only if they cannot be used as inputs for magic state distillation. This provides a selection criteria for proper input states needed in MSD, and by extension aids in the efficient creation of magic states that, when coupled with fault-tolerant operators, allows for universal quantum computing. In both cases, contextuality has a potential advantage over other quantum computational techniques since contextuality itself can be thought of as a theory of information that is built directly into quantum mechanics. Comparatively, more traditional quantum phenomena such as entanglement and interference use delicate physical states which are incredibly susceptible to noise and very difficult to manipulate experimentally.
Quantum mind
There are computers that are specifically designed to compute using quantum mechanical effects. Quantum computing is computing using quantum-mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement. They are different from binary digital electronic computers based on transistors. Whereas common digital computing requires that the data be encoded into binary digits (bits), each of which is always in one of two definite states (0 or 1), quantum computation uses quantum bits, which can be in superpositions of states. One of the greatest challenges is controlling or removing quantum decoherence. This usually means isolating the system from its environment as interactions with the external world cause the system to decohere. Currently, some quantum computers require their qubits to be cooled to 20 millikelvins in order to prevent significant decoherence. As a result, time consuming tasks may render some quantum algorithms inoperable, as maintaining the state of qubits for a long enough duration will eventually corrupt the superpositions. There aren't any obvious analogies between the functioning of quantum computers and the human brain. Some of the hypothetical models of quantum mind have proposed mechanisms for maintaining quantum coherence in the brain, but they have not been shown to operate.