• A microfluidic T-junction device was designed and simulated; the team struggled with STL meshing errors (intersecting triangles, missing faces) generated by proprietary CAD tools, ultimately discovering that a high-resolution 2-D image can serve as an adequate simulation input instead of a full 3-D mesh.

• Several open-source and proprietary file-format issues were discussed: the need for STEP/IGES exports from SolidWorks to avoid STL artifacts, and the possibility of using Blender’s spiral-generator plugin to create cleaner geometry.

• A membraneless spiral microfluidic filter concept was under active development; screenshots and an .avi video of the T-junction flow were shared, along with a YouTube mirror (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPY84NelFO4).

• A referenced paper, “Building a better cell trap – Applying Lagrangian modeling to the design of microfluidic devices for cell biology,” was highlighted as the theoretical basis for the curved-sieve (“c-shaped sieve”) cell-separation geometry.

• Discussion of plasmoid weapons and ball-lightning physics included speculation on 0.5-T magnetic fields, Bremsstrahlung X-ray emission, and the potential for electromagnetic-pulse (EMP) effects against missiles.

• A brief methodological aside pointed to Methodspace.com as a resource for debating quantitative vs. qualitative research approaches in open-source science projects.