- Diffusion-spectrum MRI of primate and human brains revealed an unexpectedly simple orthogonal grid of white-matter fibers, challenging traditional cortical-wiring models and suggesting new BCI interface design targets; a high-resolution “rainbow brain map” (Wired, 2012) was debated for its claimed representation of PFC-to-corpus-callosum “command signals.”

- Channel members began drafting specifications for an open-source laser-cutter/micro-machining system targeting a 1–5 µm beam spot, covering gantry design, LinuxCNC/EMC2 real-time control, G-code generation (pycam, ReplicatorG), and replacement of proprietary Full Spectrum Laser software.

- Real-time control trade-offs were analyzed: Linux-RT/RTAI can achieve ~15–25 µs latency, but sub-microsecond I/O (e.g., 4 MHz CCD clocks) favors microcontrollers (Propeller, Arduino) or FPGAs; the lack of fully open-source FPGA toolchains was noted as a barrier.

- Whole-genome sequencing economics were discussed: Knome and Complete Genomics offer $5 k–$100 k services (Knome reportedly 30× coverage with SQLite database), Rob Carlson’s 2011 cost-per-base curve was cited as the canonical exponential-drop reference, and 23andMe’s SNP-array approach was described as a low-cost alternative rumored to be “going broke” despite Google backing.

- A proposal emerged to sequence the black soldier fly genome and insert a termite cellulase gene to engineer an insect that converts cellulose waste into self-harvesting protein for chicken and human consumption, aiming at closed-loop composting and soil restoration.

- Hackteria.org documented DIY micro-laser cutters built from DVD drives and 445 nm diodes achieving 45 mm × 45 mm cutting areas; participants debated micro-stepping and vacuum chambers for microfluidic tolerances, and shared a CO₂ pre-fill trick to eliminate bubbles in PDMS microchannels.

- Open CASCADE Technology (OCCT) CAD kernel opened an official Git repository, inviting external contributors to its 3-D geometry engine—an important step for open-source hardware design workflows.

- The open-source community was criticized for focusing on 3-D printers over high-quality open-source CNC mills; capable mills can be built or bought for <$5 k, and a participant shared the example of a custom-cabinet business (lwicustomcabinets.com).

- Ed Boyden’s review paper “Genetically encoded molecular tools for light-driven silencing of targeted neurons” (http://syntheticneurobiology.org/PDFs/12.03.chow.pdf) was flagged as essential reading for optogenetics researchers.

- Links collected included the rainbow brain map image, DIY neuroscience paper archive (diyhpl.us/~bryan/papers2/neuro/), LinuxCNC real-time docs, low-cost Terasic DE0-Nano FPGA board, and the open-source emokit driver for the Emotiv EPOC EEG headset (https://github.com/qdot/emokit).