• MEMS-based artificial muscle: participants explored using arrays of MHz-scale piezoelectric or electrostatic MEMS “inchworm” motors to create macroscopic actuators, noting that piezoMEMS (e.g., ink-jet printheads) already exist but that wear and material-patterning limits remain open problems.

• Material constraints in MEMS fabrication: standard CMOS-derived processes only provide monocrystalline Si, SiO₂, Si₃N₄, Al, Cu, and a few other films; depositing and patterning true piezoelectric layers at micron scales is possible but still experimental.

• Durability discussion: MEMS gears and stepper motors reportedly wear out in minutes; diamond-like carbon coatings were suggested as a potential wear-reduction strategy.

• Liquid-crystal elastomer (LCE) integration: a 2020 IEEE paper (10.1109/MEMS.2020.3006109) was highlighted for demonstrating wafer-level patterning of LCE “artificial muscle” films with programmable actuation directions, compatible with standard silicon MEMS processes.

• Mechanical-counterpressure (MCP) spacesuits: conversation pivoted to using MEMS or LCE actuators inside next-gen MCP suits to provide dynamic, localized compression for life-support and mobility, replacing traditional gas-bladder “capstan tube” designs.

• Historical MCP designs: earlier flight suits used inflatable bladders along limbs that automatically tightened under cabin depressurization; participants questioned why these concepts were not further developed.

• “Biosuit” concept: proposed a skin-tight garment with spatially-varying tension zones enabled by advanced actuating polymers, allowing easy donning followed by controllable compression tailored to body regions.

• Open-access developments: ACM’s decision to release all pre-2000 papers and aim for full open access within five years was welcomed; Sci-Hub was noted as the de-facto access route for current paywalled literature.