# Key Points from IRC Conversation

• A detailed discussion about self-replicating machines occurred, focusing on whether machines should individually self-replicate or work as a collective system, with CryptoQuick proposing a system of specialized CNC machines using metals from crustal rock (ISRU) and thermal energy storage through thermite rather than electricity.

• Kanzure shared research on transcranial ultrasound brain stimulation technology, including papers on multifocal ultrasound neural stimulation and a portable ultrasound driver that could be built for about $100, suggesting potential DIY applications for non-invasive brain interfaces.

• Historical brain experiments were referenced, including Russian dog head removal experiments and Jose Delgado's electrode experiments with bulls, with links to video documentation of these controversial historical neuroscience experiments.

• There was discussion about removing watermarks from academic PDFs, with techniques shared for manually editing PDF object streams and using tools like pdftk to process documents for research archiving purposes.

• Foucist mentioned DIY UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) development, sharing a link to OpenPilot.org as an existing open-source platform for building personal aerial drones.

• Kanzure mentioned a Sony patent for "generating sensory data onto the human neural cortex" and shared information about Insightec's ExAblate Neuro system, which uses focused ultrasound for brain applications but is currently under FDA IDE (Investigational Device Exemption).