Forward-looking: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the natural polymer making up the genetic traits of all life forms (and many viruses) known to man. Scientists have been trying to exploit DNA's unique capabilities in the digital realm for a very long time, and a new European-funded initiative is now seemingly confident it can achieve this potentially revolutionary result in just three years.
What just happened? In an incident that brings back memories of the exploding Galaxy Note 7 saga, an electronic device caught fire inside a jet last week. The culprit on this occasion was a laptop, and thankfully the plane was still on the tarmac waiting to leave when its cabin filled with smoke and had to be evacuated.
Novel device converts heat into electricity at ultra-low temperatures
Forward-looking: A research team at EPFL University in Switzerland has created a 2D quantum computing system that can get colder than outer space. This is a major breakthrough for quantum computing, as advancements have been hindered by conventional cooling methods. This new technology uses off-the-shelf parts and can be easily implemented into existing quantum computers.
Bottom line: Nothing's budget-minded sub-brand, CMF, has introduced its first mobile phone. The CMF Phone 1 is an entry-level handset that could finally take the concept of a modular smartphone mainstream. The price is right at $199, but will it make a splash in a cutthroat market where every previous modular attempt has come up short?