# Key Points from IRC Log

• Erik de Bruijn's thesis on open source for physical objects was shared (http://thesis.erikdebruijn.nl/master/thesis-manuscript.pdf), though participants criticized it for failing to address important technical aspects of RepRap collaboration.

• A discussion about the Gada Prize for personal manufacturing highlighted tensions between open source collaboration and prize competitions, with concerns about requirements like "90% by volume printed parts" and the mandate that teams publish their innovations during development.

• Participants debated how to properly structure open source hardware licensing for the Gada Prize, questioning whether GPL/BSD licenses were appropriate and how to handle intellectual property rights for submissions.

• John Griessen's microfluidic valve designs for DIYbio were shared (http://ecosensory.com/diybio/flow-diff-pump-1.jpg), sparking a brief discussion about the potential of microfluidics for creating water-powered computers.

• An interview with Melanie Swan of DIYgenomics was shared (http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/09/interview_with_melanie_swan_of_diyg.html), alongside discussion questioning the overemphasis on hereditary susceptibility in genomics.

• Technical challenges in CAD software development were discussed, particularly how to determine whether enclosed shapes represent solid material or negative space when designing objects for 3D printing.