• A 100 ns electro-optical switch capable of routing light between two paths electrically was discussed, but the group noted that purely optical-optical switching remains an open challenge because photodiodes are still required to convert the optical signal back to electrical form.

• nmz787 circulated a 200-page PDF on the history of liquid-metal ion sources and focused ion beams (FIB) at http://diyhpl.us/~nmz787/pdf/History_of_LMIS__FIB.pdf, and participants debated whether 2-D SVG with greyscale height maps is sufficient for microfluidic channel design or whether true 3-D CAM (g-code/RS-274D) is required for fabrication.

• A yeast-based microbial platform reported in Nature Chemical Biology (doi:10.1038/nchembio.1613) was highlighted for converting glucose into the opioid precursor thebaine at ≈131 mg L⁻¹ every four days, raising the prospect of kitchen-scale morphine synthesis and its potential to disrupt global drug-cartel economics.

• Participants analyzed the high-voltage (≈30 kV) beam-deflection electronics needed for SEM/FIB systems, citing a 1981 HP Journal paper that achieved 300 MHz, 16-bit-accuracy deflection and 80 Å interferometric stage resolution, and proposed modern solutions such as stacked MOSFET switches or piezoelectric transformers to reach sub-50 ns rise times.

• The Constructor Theory website (constructortheory.org) was introduced as David Deutsch’s effort to derive universal physical principles that constrain possible transformations, with implications for quantum information and the thermodynamic foundations of life.

• Supercritical CO₂ critical-point drying was proposed as a tissue-preservation method that avoids ice-crystal damage, leveraging CO₂’s critical point (≈31 °C, 73 atm) to replace water in biological samples, and participants noted its existing industrial use for recycling motor oil as a possible open-source solvent-recovery application.

• Google Cardboard’s open-source laser-cut design, NFC tag launcher, and safety warnings about lens-induced fires were dissected, alongside frustration that no multiplayer VR apps exist despite the hardware’s accessibility.

• The CFTC opened public comment on LedgerX’s applications to become the first regulated Bitcoin derivatives clearing organization and swap execution facility, marking a milestone for institutional cryptocurrency markets.

• Participants criticized Nature Publishing Group’s “content-sharing” pilot as “beggar access” rather than true Open Access, circulating explanatory posts from NPG and Scientific American to illustrate the limitations.

• A meta-discussion urged prominent transhumanist figures to shift from publishing existential-risk papers to building tangible open-source molecular-biology and hardware projects, arguing that hands-on experimentation is more valuable than theoretical treatises.