# Key Points from Transhumanist IRC Discussion

• A Python wrapper for OpenCASCADE (PythonOCC) was identified as a promising open-source alternative to proprietary CAD systems like SolidWorks, with participants successfully using it to manipulate STEP files.

• Participants discussed challenges with DIY CNC machine construction at a local "fabratory," including Z-axis design complexity and organizational bottlenecks, while evaluating a $428 Russian CNC design that could operate in sub-zero conditions but had potential precision limitations due to using stepper motors as thrust bearings.

• Lost foam casting techniques were evaluated for manufacturing thin boat propeller blades, with specific concerns about whether the process could handle blades that taper from 1/2 inch at the root to nearly nothing over 12 inches.

• Neural interface research was discussed, including papers on "Multifunctional Nanobiomaterials for Neural Interfaces" and research on the GRIN2B glutamate receptor related to neurological conditions.

• A DIY microfluidics technique using Sharpie markers was shared, potentially offering an accessible method for creating precise microfluidic channels for biohacking experiments.

• Participants noted that Amazon was implementing location-based pricing that varies by zip code, allowing them to maximize revenue through differential pricing strategies.