# Summary of IRC Log Discussion

• A user shared information about the Cygnus X-1 black hole accretion disk switching to a state of low hard x-ray brightness, with a link to monitoring data at http://heastro.phys.lsu.edu/gbm/image.php?sourceimage=CYGX-1.

• Discussion about the fundamental differences between open source software and hardware, noting that hardware "installation" is more difficult than the manufacturing process design, and requires more capital investment than software development.

• A user mentioned a project called SKDB (http://diyhpl.us/cgit/skdb) which appears to be an attempt to create a package manager for hardware, similar to those used in Linux distributions.

• Nanoengineer (http://diyhpl.us/cgit/nanoengineer) was shared as an interesting project related to nanotechnology design.

• A lab acquired a rare integrated CNC micromachining suite with 3-micron feature size capabilities, described as "the most advanced micromachining setup" commercially available in the US.

• Discussion of potential research areas in additive manufacturing, with suggestions for improved physics-based modeling and metamaterials development.

• A user mentioned working on welding projects including a hand pump for hydrotesting and pressure vessels, with discussion about argon gas consumption issues.