Speaking at the Intel Developer Forum in Munich, Gelsinger said: "We are funding research into bio-computing, molecular computing and nanosystems, the only one we are not funding is quantum computing.

"Quantum computing is way out there. So far only 3 bit quantum computing has been possible, what is that compared to the procesing power we have today?"

He maintains that silicon is the way forward for the forseeable future. He said: "I don't think anything will replace silicon, it is a manufacturing thing, how would you build quantum computers. They are so far away from today's manufacturing technologies, it is way out there 20-30 years away."

However Intel does intend to enhance its silicon technologies, its approach will involve integrating specific areas of new technologies with silicon.

"I am interested in taking some parts of the new technologies and integrating them with silicon. Complementing silicon with bio, molocular and nano characteristics is an area where we expect to see breakthroughs," Gelsinger said.