While I admit this article is a little outside of my scientific area I find quantum mechanics as interesting as a physicist might. This slideshow article gives 10 applications of quantum mechanics that span the past, present, and future. I found it interesting and it’s an easier way to try and understand what this field has opened up for the world.

As for the equations behind each of these applications I’ll leave that to everyone else to try and completely understand. Our grasp of knowledge and the growth of science has made it almost impossible to understand every branch of science as others before us tried to.

http://curiosity.discovery.com/topic/applications-of-quantum-mechanics/10-real-world-applications-of-quantum-mechanics.htm