- A Cambridge Stereoscan 2000 SEM (scanning electron microscope) was discussed as a potential tool for nanoscale work.  
- The Haskell-based Ivory language and Agda were recommended for high-assurance systems and formal methods; links to introductory category-theory video playlists were shared (YouTube lists by “bartosz milewski” and “TheCatsters”).  
- docl argued that category theory is a meta-skill for building expertise and could inform the design of self-replicating “Seed Factories,” referencing Ericsson’s “Peak” and Eder’s systems-engineering work.  
- lsneff reported that the open-source AtomCAD molecular-design tool can now render 80 million atoms; scaling to ~1 billion would enable full molecular-assembler design, although traditional MD simulations are inadequate at that scale.  
- L29Ah suggested beginning with ribosome simulation as a tractable first step toward large-scale molecular machinery.  
- Silq, a new high-level quantum language with “safe uncomputation,” was mentioned; fenn explained uncomputation as a reversible-computing technique for cleaning temporary ancilla bits.  
- kanzure posted a history of PostgreSQL that highlights Netezza’s 1999 fork for FPGA-accelerated parallel queries, its IPO in 2007, and its eventual $1.7 B acquisition by IBM.