The deadliest hurricane to strike the US mainland since Hurricane Katrina has also drawn attention for its potential disruptions to the tech industry. Destruction from Hurricane Helene is threatening one of the industry’s major supply chains – a North Carolina mining town that supplies high-purity quartz crucial for manufacturing the chips found in smartphones and data centres worldwide.
The mining town of Spruce Pine is among the many US communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, which killed more than 200 people in multiple states, displaced thousands and left more than a million homes and businesses without power. The storm pushed 900 kilometres inland from the Florida coast and inflicted deadly floods across a wide region, even reaching deep within the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina, where the Spruce Pine quartz mines are located.
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Here is what you need to know about how Helene’s ripple effects could impact the tech industry.
Why is high-purity quartz so important?
High-purity quartz is used to make fused-quartz crucibles, cylindrical containers that are key to the chip-manufacturing process because they can endure the high temperatures required to melt silicon. The melting-point temperature for semiconductor-grade polysilicon is around 1425°C (2597°F), and quartz crucibles can typically withstand temperatures of up to 1650°C (3000°F).
In the chip manufacturing process, the fused-quartz crucibles are filled with molten silicon. A silicon seed crystal is dipped into the melted silicon within the spinning crucible so that it can grow into a significantly larger silicon ingot before being gradually drawn out. A fully grown ingot can weigh over 500 kilograms.
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Those silicon ingots are then cut into silicon wafers, which in turn can be imprinted with the transistor patterns that form the foundation of modern computer chips.
Where does high-purity quartz come from?
The natural deposits of quartz found in Spruce Pine originated when North America and Africa collided to form the supercontinent Pangaea about 300 million years ago. That process created the Appalachian mountains and also forced part of Earth’s oceanic crust to sink beneath North America, where the intense heat and pressure near the planet’s mantle melted ocean sediment and rock.
The resulting lava slowly cooled over time to form pegmatite rock deposits containing large mineral crystals – including high-purity quartz. These pegmatite formations eventually became more accessible near the surface because of more geological upheaval and weathering.
How did Hurricane Helene impact quartz mining operations?
The Spruce Pine mining district currently has quartz mining and refining operations owned by Belgium-based Sibelco and Norway-based The Quartz Corp. Both companies shut down operations on 26 September and have not yet said when they might restart.
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The companies say they have confirmed the safety of their employees and contractors in the area – and they described relatively minimal direct damage to their facilities.
“The initial assessment indicates that our operating facilities in the Spruce Pine region have only sustained minor damage,” said Sibelco in a 3 October statement. “Our dedicated teams are on-site, conducting cleanup and repair activities to restart operations as soon as we can.”
Hurricane Helene caused record flooding and damage
Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images
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“We have been able to conduct the first visual inspections of our plants and it would appear that damage is mostly concentrated around ancillary units,” said The Quartz Corp in a statement on 2 October. But the company also cautioned that resumption of mining operations “will also depend on the rebuilding of local infrastructure” – many of the roads in the area were closed and damaged in the immediate wake of the storm.
Similarly, Sibelco referenced power outages from the storm as one challenge. “Restoring power remains crucial to resuming our operations,” said the company in its statement. “The repair of power lines leading to our plants has progressed significantly.”
The Quartz Corp also described having stockpiles of quartz in Norway that could be used in ongoing purification processing operations, along with additional “safety stocks of finished products” that could avoid any critical shortages for customers – including semiconductor manufacturers – in the short or medium term.
Will Helene disrupt the supply of semiconductors?
Major semiconductor manufacturers have said that they currently do not expect disruptions to their operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
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TSMC, a Taiwanese company that is the world’s leading chip maker, described having “diverse global suppliers” to draw upon. “Through an effective risk management system and close partnerships with suppliers, we currently do not anticipate any significant impact on the company’s operations,” says a TSMC spokesperson. “We will keep monitoring the situation closely.”
Samsung Electronics, which ranks as the second largest chip maker and is headquartered in South Korea, told New Scientist that the company’s operations were not affected.
GlobalFoundries, the largest semiconductor manufacturer based in the US, described itself as having the “flexibility to leverage alternative sources for key supplies” with chip-making facilities on three continents. “We are in contact with our global suppliers and do not expect any disruption to our supply of quartz due to Hurricane Helene,” says a GlobalFoundries spokesperson.
Companies that produce raw silicon wafers currently have wafer stockpiles sufficient to last anywhere from three to eight months, said Dylan Patel at SemiAnalysis, an independent research firm, in a social media post.
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Are there alternative sources of quartz for the global semiconductor industry?
Spruce Pine “has a near unique combination of purity, availability and price,” wrote Ed Conway, a journalist at Sky News and author of Material World, in a Substack post. But he also pointed to other high-purity quartz mines in China, Russia and Brazil.
Natural high-purity quartz deposits are “scarce”, but companies can use purification methods if needed or even synthetically produce pure quartz, said Patel. He also pointed to the company Ferroglobe, which acquired a high-purity quartz mine in South Carolina in October 2023. A company press release projected that mining operations could begin in the second half of 2024.
Intel® has localized the Vmin Shift Instability issue to a clock tree circuit within the IA core which is particularly vulnerable to reliability aging under elevated voltage and temperature. Intel has observed these conditions can lead to a duty cycle shift of the clocks and observed system instability.
Intel® has identified four (4) operating scenarios that can lead to Vmin shift in affected processors:
1) Motherboard power delivery settings exceeding Intel power guidance.
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a. Mitigation: Intel® Default Settings recommendations for Intel® Core™ 13th and 14th Gen desktop processors.
2) eTVB Microcode algorithm which was allowing Intel® Core™ 13th and 14th Gen i9 desktop processors to operate at higher performance states even at high temperatures.
a. Mitigation: microcode 0x125 (June 2024) addresses eTVB algorithm issue.
3) Microcode SVID algorithm requesting high voltages at a frequency and duration which can cause Vmin shift.
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a. Mitigation: microcode 0x129 (August 2024) addresses high voltages requested by the processor.
4) Microcode and BIOS code requesting elevated core voltages which can cause Vmin shift especially during periods of idle and/or light activity.
a. Mitigation: Intel® is releasing microcode 0x12B, which encompasses 0x125 and 0x129 microcode updates, and addresses elevated voltage requests by the processor during idle and/or light activity periods.
This 42U server rack cabinet provides security for storing standard 19″ rack-mount equipment. The rack is compatible with EIA-310 compliant equipment and supports a weight capacity of 3315 lb. (1500 kg).
Strands is the NYT’s latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it’s great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.
Your Strands expert
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Your Strands expert
Marc McLaren
NYT Strands today (game #216) – hint #1 – today’s theme
What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?
• Today’s NYT Strands theme is… No way!
NYT Strands today (game #216) – hint #2 – clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
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GUST
CART
QUERY
BUSH
SHAME
CHANT
NYT Strands today (game #216) – hint #3 – spangram
What is a hint for today’s spangram?
• Can you believe it?!
NYT Strands today (game #216) – hint #4 – spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today’s spangram touches?
First: top, 1st column
Last: bottom, 4th column
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #216) – the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today’s Strands, game #216, are…
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SHAM
FAKE
QUACK
PHONY
HOAK
CHARLATAN
HUMBUG
SPANGRAM: THATSUNREAL
My rating: Moderate
My score: Perfect
After yesterday’s annoying Strands puzzle, today’s is much better. It’s hard, though – the theme of THATSUNREAL is a tricky one to identify, and you’ll probably have needed to get a couple of answers by accident, or to have used hints, to get started.
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That’s what happened to me; I found SHAM and FAKE while searching for hint words, and together with the theme clue of ‘No way!’ that was enough information for me to work with. Not that thinking of more words was easy; I got the likes of QUACK and PHONY through a mixture of luck and inspiration, but needed to hunt for quite some time.
Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Friday 4 October, game #215)
TITLE
ATLAS
FLARE
MANUAL
QUARTER
REGISTRATION
SPANGRAM: GLOVEBOX
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT’s new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It’s now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT’s games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I’ve got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you’re struggling to beat it each day.
The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) is the latest iteration of Google’s premium smart thermostat, offering a bold new design and a wealth of new functionality. It carries a hefty price tag — and depending on your needs, the more affordable Nest Thermostat might be the wiser option. But what exactly is the difference between the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) and Nest Thermostat?
From pricing and available colors to features and design, here’s everything you need to know before making a purchase. And be sure to read our full fourth-generation Nest Thermostat review.
The Nest Thermostat is relatively affordable at $130, while the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) is over twice as expensive at $280. There’s no denying the Nest Learning Thermostat looks better, thanks to a revamped design that features a large borderless display augmented with a stainless steel ring. The Nest Thermostat is no slouch, but its mirrored glass lens and plastic housing definitely feel cheaper.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is available in polished silver, polished obsidian, and polished gold. The Nest Thermostat is available in snow, sand, fog, and charcoal.
If money is a factor, the Nest Thermostat is the easier choice. It may not look as flashy, but it’s shockingly more affordable than the latest Nest Learning Thermostat.
The installation process is largely the same for both devices. You’ll need to pop out your old thermostat, then reconnect the wires to your Nest Thermostat or Nest Learning Thermostat. Google says the Nest Thermostat “works with 85% of systems,” though some systems may require a C-wire. The Nest Learning Thermostat “works with most HVAC systems.” If you live in a home built within the last few decades, you shouldn’t have a problem getting either running.
As for the actual installation, you’ll be guided through the process via a mobile app. This offers plenty of diagrams and visuals, so even DIY novices should be able to complete the task. If you run into trouble or if you need to install a C-wire, it may be worth contacting a professional.
The digital clock face on the Nest Thermostat.Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends
As its price would suggest, the Nest Learning Thermostat is packed with features. Its large display is customizable, allowing it to show information such as the temperature, time, weather forecast, outdoor air quality, and more. You can also turn and press on the dial to load additional details. The most compelling reason to pick up this smart thermostat is because it will learn your routine and create a schedule based on your preferences. It’ll also look for ways to save money on your energy bill and give you suggestions for your heating and cooling schedule.
The Nest Thermostat is basic by comparison. While you can still control it remotely via the mobile app, it won’t create automated schedules or recommend energy-saving ideas. Its screen is also much smaller and it doesn’t have access to information like air quality and the weather forecast.
The fourth-generation Nest Thermostat supports Matter, and that means it works natively in Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem.Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends
Just hearing “Nest Thermostat” immediately conjures up thoughts of smart home tech, right? After all, that’s the entire point — you’re able to control any Nest Thermostat from anywhere. That was true from the first Nest Thermostat years ago, and it’s true with this fourth generation.
But perhaps a little more important (if also a little bit on the nerdy side) is that we have to talk about a smart home standard called Matter. That’s a protocol that lets devices work with each other more easily. And it also lets devices from what previously were fairly closed ecosystems — think Google Home on one side, and Apple’s HomeKit on the other — play nicely.
Both the 2020 Nest Thermostat and the 2024 model support Matter. And that means either can work inside Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem — or with any other system that supports Matter.
Winner: This one’s a tie — and that’s a good thing.
The fourth-generation Nest thermostat showing the current indoor temperature and the target temperature.Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends
The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) is without a doubt the better smart thermostat — but that doesn’t mean it’s automatically the best for your needs. While the extra features are great and can help you save money over the years, the hefty upfront investment won’t make sense for all families. But if you have the budget for it, this is the one to get.
For shoppers on a budget, the Nest Thermostat is a nice compromise. It’s missing out on a few powerful features, but it still brings smarts to your heating and cooling without breaking your budget. It’s also nice that you have four unique color options — so you can find a style that looks best in your home.
This 12U slide-out server rack helps you save space while keeping your rack-mount equipment organized and accessible. The compact open-frame rack is easy to pull out and rotate, which makes it easy to install and access your equipment or perform maintenance when needed.
The rack supports a total load capacity of 125 lb. (56.7 kg).
Google is working on a new “Trade-In” mode for Android devices to simplify their inspections while keeping the device secure. It will rely on ADB or Android Debug Bridge, but the mode won’t allow unlimited and unrestricted access.
Why does the Trade-In process often take several days?
Google could soon deploy a new mode that would allow technicians quicker and simpler access to the device’s software. Technicians would be able to access the device with the press of a few buttons and perform diagnostics tests.
The trade-in process is rather simple for the end-user. Consumers have to merely perform a factory reset of their Android smartphones before handing them over.
Consumers, however, have to wait for a few days to find out if their Android smartphones qualify for the full trade-in value. This is because the backend process for completing a trade-in is complex.
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Trade-ins take time because technicians have to perform several tests on the device. External damage is easier to observe. However, there are other inspections that usually involve booting the device and running a series of diagnostic tests. These tests determine if the internal hardware, including the screen, cameras, and other sensors are functioning properly.
Google testing ADB-based ‘Trade-In mode’ for Android smartphones
To perform tests on software and internal hardware, technicians have to go through the setup wizard like it’s a brand-new phone. Experts can quickly skip most screens. However there could be hundreds of devices in the queue, and repeating this process is not only cumbersome but also time-consuming.
Google is reportedly testing a new mode that would allow technicians to quickly reach the desired screen on the device. The “Trade-In mode”, would grant access to ADB on the first screen of the setup wizard. Thereafter technicians could run their automated diagnostics.
ADB is quite powerful and allows deep access to system apps and services. Hence, Google is restricting the Trade-In mode to a single ADB command before the device asks to complete the setup process.
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Technicians can run ‘adb shell tradeinmode enter’. This would allow them to bypass the setup process and put Android into an “evaluation mode.” If activated, the Android OS will schedule a factory reset on the next boot.
Alternatively, technicians can run ‘adb shell tradeinmode getstatus [-challenge CHALLENGE]’ to retrieve diagnostic information about the device as well as see if it passes an attestation challenge. Needless to say, if properly deployed and used, the Trade-In mode could bring down the waiting period for the approval process of an old smartphone.
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