- nmz787 is prototyping a low-cost inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) system for on-demand disposal of smelly food-soiled packaging and bulky clamshell plastics; parts include a $12 1000 W induction heater module, 13.56 MHz RF source, 70 W RF amplifier, and custom impedance-matching network, with SPICE simulations showing ~22.8 kHz operation (GitHub repo: nmz787/rf_plasma).  
- Discussion contrasts ICP with simple high-voltage room-temperature plasma, noting that ozone exhaust is acceptable but NOx generation is a concern; oxygen or an oxygen concentrator may be used to mitigate by-products.  
- DARPA is partially funding an orbital test of a “quantum space drive” resonant RF cavity on the Barry-1 cubesat; participants dismiss the physics as implausible, arguing that prior torsion-balance null results on Earth already rule out thrust and that LEO testing mainly serves to exhaust remaining speculation.  
- A new pre-print proposes “randomizing the human genome by engineering recombination between repeat elements” as a route to map sequence essentiality and systematically minimize the human genome; debate ensues over the risk of discarding non-coding DNA that may provide quantitative or context-dependent benefits.  
- Elon Musk posts a video of the Tesla Optimus robot folding a shirt, prompting mixed reactions about the pace of practical humanoid robotics.  
- fenn shares a 2007-era “mad science” video of a home-built rail-gun platform and later a photo of a rough outdoor “mark 1 waifu” robot frame, illustrating ongoing DIY mechatronics experimentation.