- A Nature Methods paper “Neurobiology: rethinking the electrode” (doi:10.1038/nmeth.3149) was circulated as a key reference for next-generation neural interface hardware.  
- Participants compared microfluidic mixing geometries—serpentine channels, fractal structures, and pillar arrays—and concluded that cylindrical posts give the gentlest mixing for cell-laden fluids.  
- A complete DIY PDMS microfluidics protocol was detailed: fabricate a glass/Si master, apply an anti-stiction layer, cast and cure PDMS, then plasma-bond to a coverslip; glass chips were noted for higher pressure tolerance and chemical resistance.  
- Expired Epson piezo inkjet heads were proposed as ultra-low-cost picolitre-precision pumps for microfluidics, with discussion of mating them directly to microchannels or using micro-bubble (steam/alcohol) actuation.  
- Lens-free on-chip microscopy using a single LED, pinhole, and CMOS sensor was highlighted, achieving a 24 mm² field of view at 2.2 µm resolution—ten times larger than a 10× objective—with links to open-access PLOS ONE and Nature Scientific Reports papers.  
- Impedance (dielectric) spectroscopy was suggested as a label-free alternative to optical stains for distinguishing live vs. dead yeast, supported by microfluidic multichannel sensor papers.  
- Low-power diode lasers were discussed for creating cavitation bubbles inside PDMS channels to pump or lyse cells, with references to whole-blood pumping and PCR droplet heating demonstrations.  
- Molded Interconnect Devices (MID)—injection-molded thermoplastics with integrated circuit traces—were introduced as a route to ultra-low-cost, single-shot microfluidic-electronic hybrids.