>I'd probably be worried about commodities as a bigger issue. Agreed. Rare earth elements are especially concerning.

Very cool device, but battery life won't be "infinite" or anything close. The article doesn't specify battery chemistry, but it does say that the battery will last "a few years"... and I don't imagine they're replaceable. This is not to knock - this is a great achievement! Mainstream micro-controller that can power itself in a hassle-free manner? Awesome =]

It *is* correct. GP said "less than one electron in the apparatus at any one time on average and you still get the diffraction pattern" which is right. Even if you only ever send one electron through it will be detected in a location consistent with the fringe pattern.

From the link you included in your reply:

"Although electrons were sent one by one, interference fringes could be observed."

You say "Single electrons produce single dots. It's only after you dump many electrons through that you get a pattern" which I think is misleading at best. It suggests that the first electron could be found in a location consistent with classical mechanics. The reality is that from the very first dot you'll be seeing interference effects (this is the heart of the double slit experiment), although it's true it won't *look* like there's a pattern until you've accumulated many dots.

Anyway, my point is that GP had it right.

A minor point, but this:

...doesn't work with this:

Why do you "like" one piece of music more than another. Why do all your friends pass it along. It's because of something inherent in the "work itself", isn't it?