
As cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated, the need for advanced cybersecurity measures has never been more critical. Researchers at Penn State’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science are tackling this challenge head-on by developing a cutting-edge “honeypot” system designed to deceive and trap hackers attempting to infiltrate military networks. Funded by a $557,000 grant from the U.S. Army’s DEVCOM, the project aims to create a suite of fake networks, devices, and video feeds to lure attackers, gather intelligence on their methods, and waste their time on decoy systems. But what exactly makes this honeypot system so effective, how does it work across multiple domains, and could this technology redefine the future of cybersecurity defense?
Top Stories This Week
- Building A Network Of Fake Cameras To Deceive Military Adversaries
- New IoT Botnet Launching Large-Scale DDoS Attacks Hijacking IoT Devices
- Octopus Energy Enables Germany’s First ‘Zero Bills’ Community
- Sereact Raises $26 Million For AI Warehouse Robotics Efforts
- Eindhoven-based Photon IP Raises Millions For Breakthrough In Chip Technology
- Can The U.S. Power Grid Handle The Data Center Boom?
- Are Smart Glasses The Next Big Tech Revolution?
- Ubitium Announces Development Of ‘universal’ Processor That Combines CPU, GPU, DSP, And FPGA Functionalities
- Chainmail-Like Material Could Be The Future Of Armour
- ‘Sleuthing’ Sensors Could Sniff Out Cancer
- Using Audio Signals To Drive Neopixels At High Speed
Hardware Business News
New IoT Botnet Launching Large-Scale DDoS Attacks Hijacking IoT Devices

A newly identified IoT botnet has been wreaking havoc globally since late 2024, exploiting vulnerabilities in routers, IP cameras, and other connected devices to launch large-scale DDoS attacks. Derived from Mirai and Bashlite malware, this botnet targets critical sectors like finance, transportation, and telecommunications, with North America, Europe, and Japan bearing the brunt of its impact. How does this botnet operate, what makes it so dangerous, and what steps can be taken to mitigate its threat? As IoT devices continue to proliferate, how can industries and individuals better secure their networks against such attacks?
Octopus Energy Enables Germany’s First ‘Zero Bills’ Community

Germany is stepping into a new era of sustainable living with the launch of its first ‘Zero Bills’ community in Schramberg, enabled by Octopus Energy. This groundbreaking development will feature 24 cutting-edge homes powered entirely by green technology, including solar panels, heat pumps, and batteries, ensuring residents pay no energy bills for at least six years. Partnering with housebuilder KAMPA, the project combines state-of-the-art timber frame construction with affordability, setting a new standard for eco-friendly living. What makes the ‘Zero Bills’ concept revolutionary, how does it integrate green technology to eliminate energy costs, and could this model become the blueprint for sustainable communities worldwide?
Sereact Raises $26 Million For AI Warehouse Robotics Efforts

German tech company Sereact has recently secured $26 million in Series A funding to advance its AI-powered robotics efforts, particularly in warehouse automation. With a focus on a software-first approach, Sereact aims to revolutionize robotics by enabling machines to act as intelligent, adaptable agents rather than pre-programmed tools. This funding will support the expansion of its research and development, including the integration of its vision language action models (VLAM) into humanoid and mobile robots, allowing them to perform complex tasks in dynamic environments. What makes Sereact’s software-first approach unique, how does it address the challenges of warehouse automation, and what role will AI-powered robotics play in the future of industrial operations?
Eindhoven-based Photon IP Raises Millions For Breakthrough In Chip Technology

Eindhoven-based Photon IP has recently secured €4.75 million in seed funding to advance its groundbreaking method for producing ultra-efficient photonic chips. These chips, which transmit data using light rather than electricity, are revolutionizing industries such as AI, data centers, and fiber optic networks by offering faster speeds and significantly lower energy consumption. However, the production of these chips has traditionally relied on rare and costly materials like indium phosphide, making scalability a challenge. What makes photonic chips so unique, how does Photon IP’s method overcome the challenges of traditional production, and what could this breakthrough mean for the future of technology?
Hardware Engineering News
Can The U.S. Power Grid Handle The Data Center Boom?

The U.S. power grid is facing unprecedented challenges as it struggles to keep pace with rapidly evolving energy demands. Aging infrastructure, the rise of renewable energy, and the electrification of transportation are already straining the system, while the explosive growth of data centers—driven largely by artificial intelligence—adds another layer of complexity. With energy prices soaring and grid bottlenecks delaying data center connections until the 2030s, the question looms: Can the U.S. power grid handle the data center boom? What are the key factors contributing to this strain, and how can the grid be modernized to meet future demands?
Are Smart Glasses The Next Big Tech Revolution?

Smart glasses, once a futuristic concept, have now emerged as a tangible reality, blending advanced technology with everyday eyewear. These devices, equipped with augmented reality (AR) capabilities, cameras, and voice controls, promise to revolutionize how we interact with the digital world. From overlaying navigation directions to providing real-time information, smart glasses offer a range of applications that cater to tech enthusiasts, fitness buffs, and professionals alike. What exactly are smart glasses, and how do they differ from traditional eyewear? What challenges do they face in terms of privacy, usability, and design? And as technology continues to evolve, what does the future hold for smart glasses—will they become an indispensable tool or remain a niche gadget?
Ubitium Announces Development Of ‘universal’ Processor That Combines CPU, GPU, DSP, And FPGA Functionalities

Ubitium, a RISC-V startup, has recently unveiled its ambitious plans to develop a “Universal Processor” that integrates CPU, GPU, DSP, and FPGA functionalities into a single chip. Slated for a 2026 launch, this processor aims to revolutionize the semiconductor industry by offering a workload-agnostic microarchitecture that eliminates the need for specialized cores. Backed by a team of seasoned semiconductor veterans from companies like Intel, Nvidia, and Texas Instruments, Ubitium claims its chip will be smaller, more energy-efficient, and significantly less costly than existing solutions. What makes Ubitium’s Universal Processor a potential game-changer, how does it differ from traditional processors, and can it truly deliver on its promises within the ambitious two-year timeline?
Hardware R&D News
Chainmail-Like Material Could Be The Future Of Armour

In a groundbreaking development, researchers at Northwestern University have unveiled the first two-dimensional (2D) mechanically interlocked polymer, a material inspired by the interlocking design of chainmail armor. This innovative material, composed of 100 trillion mechanical bonds per square centimeter, boasts unparalleled flexibility and strength, making it a promising candidate for applications such as lightweight body armor and other high-performance materials. What makes this 2D mechanically interlocked polymer so unique, how does its structure contribute to its exceptional properties, and what future applications could this material enable in industries ranging from defense to advanced manufacturing?
‘Sleuthing’ Sensors Could Sniff Out Cancer

In a groundbreaking development, newly designed biosensors are set to change the way cancer is detected and treated. These sensors, inspired by the logical “AND” function in computers, can identify specific biological markers with remarkable precision. Unlike traditional biosensors that rely on genetic materials, these new versions are constructed from synthetic molecules, making them simpler to produce and reducing the risk of false positives and immune-related side effects. What makes these biosensors so revolutionary, how do they improve upon existing technologies, and what could their future applications mean for cancer care?
Open-Source Hardware News
Using Audio Signals To Drive Neopixels At High Speed

In the world of electronics, driving large strings of Neopixels—also known as WS2812 addressable LEDs—has always been a challenge due to the sheer volume of data required to control them effectively. Traditional methods rely on specialized libraries, but [Zorxx] has introduced a groundbreaking approach by repurposing I2S hardware, typically used for digital audio, to drive these LEDs at incredible speeds. By leveraging the ESP32 microcontroller’s I2S interface, [Zorxx] achieved data transfer rates of 2.6 megabits per second, enabling a 16×16 grid of 256 LEDs to update at over 130 frames per second. What makes I2S hardware so well-suited for driving Neopixels, how does this method compare to traditional approaches, and could this technique revolutionize how we control addressable LEDs in the future?