• Bryan Bishop released comprehensive transcripts from CoinDesk Consensus 2016 covering blockchain database architectures, Deloitte’s gender-in-tech initiative, Visa’s “Visa-chain” prototype, 21 Inc.’s bitcoin acquisition model, and a public debate between Balaji Srinivasan and R3 on the long-term viability of permissioned vs. public blockchains.

• nmz787_i is prototyping a DIY microfluidic photoresist exposure system that uses a laser diode for direct-write lithography; current hardware suffers from temperature-dependent brightness drift, motivating a planned upgrade to a Blu-ray optical sled with integrated photodiode feedback for closed-loop power stabilization.

• A technical design discussion compared two approaches to laser intensity control: (1) analog voltage modulation versus (2) high-frequency PWM driving a Darlington pair followed by an LC or RC low-pass filter; the latter promises higher electrical efficiency and lower thermal load while still delivering smooth, artifact-free illumination.

• xentrac_ argued that PWM frequencies well above the pixel dwell time (~25 µs) will spatially average out and not produce dot artifacts on photoresist, whereas nmz787_i prefers continuous-wave output to guarantee uniform exposure and avoid any risk of patterning errors.

• The earlier open-source laser-etcher project hosted at diyhpl.us/laser_etcher was cited as prior art, particularly its technique of modulating G-code feed-rate as an alternative method for controlling photoresist dosage without altering beam power.

• A call for leads on acquiring an affordable, used laboratory-grade fume hood highlights the ongoing DIY-bio community effort to bring professional safety infrastructure into low-cost, open-source biology labs.