Never Say Never: Emerging Technologies Solve Familiar Problems

A popcorn kernel that does not pop. A steak that is on the tough side. A low-sodium soup that tastes a bit like dishwater. A strawberry-flavored beverage that does not quite capture the experience of eating fresh strawberries. These are some of the food situations that everyone has probably encountered at some time or another.

Some of these annoyances we take for granted, accepting them as part of life much like we accept the occasional flat tire. For example, if you like microwave popcorn, you t…