# Summary of #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion (Feb 14, 2010)

* A PDF document titled "George Hawkins Journal" was shared, though no details about its contents were discussed: http://hobbit.ict.griffith.edu.au/~johnt/GeorgeHawkinsJournal.pdf

* Discussion of neural network models included comparisons between Numenta (Jeff Hawkins' model) and alternative approaches by Itamar Arel and Ben Goertzel, with the claim that Arel's and Goertzel's models work better than Numenta's.

* A neuroscience paper by Milstein and Koch (2008) was referenced regarding the propagation of extracellular electric fields from neurons, with questions raised about how overlapping fields could be distinguished from noise and what evidence exists for their functional role.

* NASA's Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication (EBF3) technology was discussed, with speculation about creating lower-tech alternatives using arc welding and helium instead of electron beams and vacuum chambers: http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/electron_beam.htm

* A microfluidics software package was mentioned as being in development, with potential plans to present it to Stephen Quake at Stanford.

* Discussion of renewable energy included solar power economics (the "$1/watt threshold"), China's plans for large-scale solar installations in Mongolia, and Mitsubishi's $100 million wind turbine plant in Arkansas.

* A link to Synthesis Simulator was shared, which appears to be a neuroscience simulation platform: http://synthesis-simulator.com/