- A DIYbio microfluidics offer: a community member will fabricate any purely fluidic microfluidic device for free with 20 µm minimum features, prompting discussion of PCR chips, piezo-actuated DNA-synthesis arrays, and a proposed non-reprogrammable microfluidic oligo synthesizer that deposits products into oil-capped “straws.”

- Genehacker revived historical fluidic-logic concepts (fluidic gramophone amplifier, credit-card reader) and IEEE papers on microfluidic registers, asking whether a Verilog-like HDL could target 20 µm fluidic channels for programmable logic.

- Electrowetting and droplet-routing algorithms were identified as the key enablers for programmable microfluidics; the group debated how to schedule ~500 individually addressable electrodes to move droplets without intersecting channels.

- Kanzure released a curated microfluidics paper collection (http://heybryan.org/books/papers/microfluidics/), added an RSS feed to heybryan.org, and launched the BioWeatherMap project (http://bioweathermap.org/) to improve open dissemination of bio-research.

- A UT Austin Robot Group meeting will feature a live MakerBot demo tonight; attendees are coordinating rides and discussing whether outsiders can use the space for personal projects or homework.

- Knome is auctioning a full human-genome sequencing package on eBay (starting bid $68 k) that includes a private dinner with George Church; channel members weighed the merits of pooling funds for a $100 k bid.

- New electrolytic hydrogen-production result: titanium nanotubes doped with potassium split water using only one-third the electricity of undoped tubes (EurekAlert release).

- A highlighted paper, “Amyloid-beta-induced ion flux in artificial lipid bilayers and neuronal cells: Resolving a controversy,” is noted as a method for punching nanoscale holes in cell membranes.

- DARPA’s Mathematical Time Reversal program appeared on the agency’s public program list, alongside other emerging-technology efforts.

- A Singularity Hub interview covering the DIYbio movement is scheduled for publication the following Monday.