- nmz787 is developing an open-source spectrometer (openspectrometer.com) built around the 8-core Parallax Propeller microcontroller, chosen for its parallel cores that eliminate the need for FPGA/CPLD expertise; the PCB is being laid out in KiCad and will be micromilled by a Hillsboro, OR lab.  
- A Portland-area DIYBio meetup is forming between nmz787, BioGuy (PCC bioscience-technology student), and jrayhawk, leveraging existing wet-lab glassware and reagents already stored at the Portland hackerspace.  
- Open-source CAD tools were debated: BRL-CAD was praised for code quality and suitability for microfluidic cell-sorters despite lacking NURBS, while FreeCAD was criticized for instability; proprietary tools (CATIA, SolidWorks) were noted only as non-open alternatives.  
- A comprehensive list of open-source PCR thermocycler projects was compiled: OpenPCR, lightbulb PCR, Griessen PCR, Aircycler, laser-droplet PCR, LavaAmp, wire-wound PCR, and Hackteria’s circular-fluidic device.  
- Juul and kanzure floated blackhatbio.com as a potential onion-service portal for leaking proprietary biotech IP or supplying hard-to-obtain BSL-2 materials (e.g., gonorrhea culture media).  
- Discussion of clandestine germline engineering: yashgaroth estimated a 50 % chance that IVF clinics already perform embryo genome editing, noting that 8-cell embryos can be PCR-tested for recessive disorders and transgenes.  
- Willow Garage announced its shutdown and pivot from open-robotics research to commercial products, prompting speculation about the future of the open-source ROS ecosystem.  
- A DIY orbital-shaker project (jmil’s open design) is being commercialized at ~$3 k; current BOM ≈ $275, 2-hour assembly, concrete base for ballast, and 31 micro-plate capacity; sales targets include BioCurious, East-Bay DIYbio, Stanford labs, and baybio.org members.