# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion (May 30, 2010)

• Steven Wm. Fowkes' Google Tech Talk on "Nutrients for Better Mental Performance" was shared as a resource for cognitive enhancement through nutritional approaches, reflecting the community's interest in accessible methods for improving mental function.

• OpenPCR (openpcr.org) was discussed as a project democratizing biotechnology by making DNA printing technology more accessible to the general public, alongside broader conversations about the value of purchasing DNA sequencing equipment given rapid technological advancement.

• Participants clarified media misrepresentations of Craig Venter's synthetic biology achievement, noting he created "a synthetic genome which was used to control a self-replicating cell" rather than a fully synthetic cell.

• Kanzure shared plans for an industrial robotic arm (Puma 560) at his hackerspace, intended for pick-and-place operations and potentially persistence of vision projects using lasers, demonstrating practical maker applications of industrial technology.

• The group discussed neurotech development, including progress on replacing Emotiv EPOC chips with custom firmware that was "functional but not complete," showing ongoing grassroots interest in advancing brain-computer interface technology.

• A resource on graphene technology applications was shared (http://heybryan.org/graphene.html), with participants noting its potential applications in various fields including genetic sequencing.

• The MIT Physical Markup Language (PML) was referenced with a link to MIT's standards page, indicating interest in standardized approaches to physical design and manufacturing.