# Key Points from IRC Log (December 14, 2010)

• Discussion of nanopore DNA sequencing technology, with mention of Nabsys as a company commercializing this approach.

• Microfluidics was discussed as having commercial potential, with reference to researchers Thies and Ananthanarayanan, and mention of DIYbio community efforts to create a "jig-saw plug-and-play microfluidic system."

• Open-source thermal cycler projects were shared, including openpcr.org and a DIY cycler project (http://web.bryant.edu/~bblais/projects/cycler/).

• Columbia Laboratory for Unconventional Electronics was highlighted for their work on printable electronics, including MakerBot-printable transistors and OLEDs (http://kymissis.columbia.edu/).

• A question was raised about hackerspaces potentially subsidizing their expenses through small manufacturing contracts for items like RepRap parts.

• Voyager 1 was noted as still transmitting useful empirical data, with discussion about the durability of its radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and large-feature silicon microcircuits.

• Links were shared to DIY chemistry resources, including diychem.org, with discussion about the relationship between DIY chemistry communities and established forums like sciencemadness.