- A spiral microfluidic PCR chip design was highlighted: a single spiral channel is laid out so that its four quadrants sit over different temperature zones (heaters/coolers at the corners), enabling continuous-flow PCR on-chip; this was compared to earlier “$10 thermocycler” prototypes that simply wrapped Teflon tubing around a triangular or square prism.  
- A nanofarming approach for algal biofuel was shared (PhysOrg link): nanoporous membranes allow oil extraction without killing the algae, promising continuous, non-destructive harvesting.  
- CAD/CAM workflow pain-points were discussed while generating gear-like arrays in HeeksCAD; STL export fails because the model is not a single solid, IGES export crashes the program, and STEP export is still undocumented, leaving no reliable path to fabrication.  
- A DIY head-mounted display thread covered hacking Myvu video glasses for wearable computing: the BeagleBoard’s dual S-video outputs were eyed for generating frame-sequential stereo, and teardown photos show the optics can be slimmed dramatically for integration.  
- Anecdotes of extreme self-experimentation circulated: Dr. Evan O’Neill Kane’s 1921 self-appendectomy under local anesthesia, a Mexican woman’s self-C-section, and a man who traveled to Ghana to infect himself with hookworms to treat asthma/allergies.  
- Media outreach dynamics were noted when a New York Times Magazine reporter posted to the DIYbio-NYC list seeking interviewees, prompting reminders that previous NYTM coverage already existed and raising questions about internal editorial hand-offs.