Perhaps this could lead to some sort of quantum FPGA equivalent within the next few years?
Like I said upthread, it all depends on quantum error correction. Right now they are below the threshold for some surface codes (note: in this context below a threshold is a good thing). However surface codes require a torus topology, and existing chip technology generally flat. They are above the threshold for topologically simple codes like Stein and Shor thus ruling them out. While their research is a step forward, what they have in their lab right this instant cannot be made into a scaleable quantum computer.
Interestingly enough, most quantum computers (both in theory and practice) are more like fpga's than like a classical CPU architecture. The general purpose qubits just kind of sit there and a quantum circuit is implemented on them with laser pulses. The only exception I'm aware of is the silicon waveguides group I mentioned up top.
Is my understanding of the phenomena largely within reality?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_gate#Universal_quantum...
In answer to your question, you are mistaken. The Cnot gate plus a few Single qubit gates {haddamard, pi/8, phase shift} are sufficent for any quantum algorithm including shors.
Also not to be pedantic but computers are made of silicon. Breasts are made of silicone.