# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussions

• A comprehensive paper on asteroid mining was shared (http://www.transport.caltech.edu/~shane/papers/ross-asteroid-mining-2001.pdf), compiling Sonter papers and other research for those interested in space resource utilization.

• An innovative application of Markov models was proposed to predict app switching behavior in real-time, potentially solving the frustrating "alt-tab" problem by anticipating which application a user would likely switch to next.

• Breakthrough "plastic antibody" technology was discussed, describing molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles capable of recognizing, neutralizing, and clearing target peptides in the bloodstream of living mice.

• German researchers successfully demonstrated cross-sensory neural modification by rewiring fruit fly larvae to perceive blue light as the smell of bananas, representing an important advance in sensory neuroscience.

• The group explored challenges in open-source hardware licensing, noting fundamental differences from software licensing as hardware relies more on patent law than copyright law, with specific criticism of the TAPR Open Hardware License.

• Historical patent issues were examined, including how the Wright brothers aggressively enforced aviation patents until the U.S. government created an aviation patent pool, illustrating the complex relationship between innovation and intellectual property protection.