I think it’s useful to see how this is possible using only consumer products and software!
An alternative solution that’s less roundabout could be to use a uhubctl (https://github.com/mvp/uhubctl) compatible USB hub and directly switch the power of the usb port.
The 4th paragraph in the Nobel Prize press release suggests that it's because mRNA based vaccines are easier to scale up and mass produce in response to a pandemic:
"Producing whole virus-, protein- and vector-based vaccines requires large-scale cell culture. This resource-intensive process limits the possibilities for rapid vaccine production in response to outbreaks and pandemics."
Planet Money/Pricenomics had a fascinating story about California's trial of a streamlined system that was incredibly well-received. However, Intuit's lobbyists teamed up with the small-government movement to sink it. https://priceonomics.com/the-stanford-professor-who-fought-t...
The principle behind why the writing glows (i.e., totally internally reflected light from the LEDs in the plexiglass getting scattered by the ink) is also how some of the earlier multi-touch systems worked (like the one in Jeff Han's 2006 TED talk). So, with the right software, it might be possible to convert one of these DIY lightboards to support input (maybe to change slides or something).
I was surprised to learn that 99% of the shiny parts in the photo belongs to the dilution refrigerator (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilution_refrigerator) needed to get the machine down close to absolute zero. The actual computer is a tiny chip at the bottom of the apparatus!
Andrew, that lecture you gave was fantastic. The Deutsch oracle example in the lecture was especially helpful -- I'm surprised it doesn't get used more frequently in other explanations of QC. I think one of the most interesting moments in the video was when the audience (me included) jumped to the conclusion that the QC was more powerful than it actually was and you helpfully brought everyone back to reality.
I know very little about finance but I did notice that the author specifically notes that the insurance is the same as an European put option (ie can only be exercised at expiry), to which Black-Scholes can be applied.