- A new MRFM-based imaging technique was discussed that replaces conventional MRI coils with a nanoscopic magnetic tip and a silicon cantilever, achieving ultrahigh-resolution 3-D imaging but only on very small samples; participants concluded it might resolve a single neuron but is not yet scalable to whole-brain scanning.  
- The Slashdot article “IBM Scientists First to Image Single Molecule” (http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/01/13/2126232) was circulated as the source for the MRFM breakthrough.  
- Questions were raised about the patent landscape surrounding rTMS devices for depression treatment and whether open-source rTMS projects would need to license or design around existing IP.  
- TechShop’s new funding round—$600 k for machinery and $2 M for a “foundational base”—was forwarded to the openmanufacturing list, with skepticism expressed about founder Jim Newton’s strategy.  
- A comparison table of digital fabrication services (FabLab, TechShop, eMachineShop) was shared at http://heybryan.org/~bbishop/docs/comparison.html; participants noted eMachineShop’s proprietary CAD interface and debated claims that its software uses AI to determine manufacturing processes.  
- A screenshot of eMachineShop’s Windows-only design tool was posted (http://heybryan.org/shots/2008-11-14_emachineshop.png) to illustrate its workflow.  
- genehacker_ described an ongoing experiment to design a Lego-based self-replicating automaton capable of assembling copies of itself.