Exploring the intersection of natural sciences and information technology via entropy and randomness

Abstract Physical sources of randomness are indispensable for information technology and cryptography. Yet, the usefulness of random processes seems to be ignored by many natural science researchers, who are exposed to the downsides of randomness, which adds noise and uncertainty to experiments. Her...

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Main Authors: Anne M. Luescher, Reinhard Heckel, Robert N. Grass
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62353-1
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author Anne M. Luescher
Reinhard Heckel
Robert N. Grass
author_facet Anne M. Luescher
Reinhard Heckel
Robert N. Grass
author_sort Anne M. Luescher
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Physical sources of randomness are indispensable for information technology and cryptography. Yet, the usefulness of random processes seems to be ignored by many natural science researchers, who are exposed to the downsides of randomness, which adds noise and uncertainty to experiments. Here, we look at experimental science through the lens of information theory, with entropy as a key concept that bridges multiple fields. By examining physical unclonable functions and molecular information technology, we highlight interdisciplinary research leveraging these synergies. With this perspective, we hope to inspire the fascination of randomness and entropy in science, encouraging new research directions across different disciplines.
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spelling doaj-art-6503d764d24849e1b0fcb676b6208bf12025-08-20T03:05:06ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-0116111010.1038/s41467-025-62353-1Exploring the intersection of natural sciences and information technology via entropy and randomnessAnne M. Luescher0Reinhard Heckel1Robert N. Grass2Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH ZurichTUM School of Computation Information and Technology, Technical University of MunichInstitute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH ZurichAbstract Physical sources of randomness are indispensable for information technology and cryptography. Yet, the usefulness of random processes seems to be ignored by many natural science researchers, who are exposed to the downsides of randomness, which adds noise and uncertainty to experiments. Here, we look at experimental science through the lens of information theory, with entropy as a key concept that bridges multiple fields. By examining physical unclonable functions and molecular information technology, we highlight interdisciplinary research leveraging these synergies. With this perspective, we hope to inspire the fascination of randomness and entropy in science, encouraging new research directions across different disciplines.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62353-1
spellingShingle Anne M. Luescher
Reinhard Heckel
Robert N. Grass
Exploring the intersection of natural sciences and information technology via entropy and randomness
Nature Communications
title Exploring the intersection of natural sciences and information technology via entropy and randomness
title_full Exploring the intersection of natural sciences and information technology via entropy and randomness
title_fullStr Exploring the intersection of natural sciences and information technology via entropy and randomness
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the intersection of natural sciences and information technology via entropy and randomness
title_short Exploring the intersection of natural sciences and information technology via entropy and randomness
title_sort exploring the intersection of natural sciences and information technology via entropy and randomness
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62353-1
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AT reinhardheckel exploringtheintersectionofnaturalsciencesandinformationtechnologyviaentropyandrandomness
AT robertngrass exploringtheintersectionofnaturalsciencesandinformationtechnologyviaentropyandrandomness