Cell phones that detect virus infections, networking the information so that a spread can be mapped. A five-minute DNA tester. Science fiction writers, including Greg Bear and Catherine Asaro (who holds a PhD in physics) attended a U.S. Department of Homeland Security conference. The H. S. folks weren't necessarily looking for gadget ideas, but wanted to think out of their box. Says Harry McDavid, chief information officer for Homeland Security's Office of Operations Coordination & Planning:

"We're stuck in a paradigm of databases...How do we jump out of our infrastructure and start conceptualizing those threats?

Here is the article from the Washington Post.