# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion (July 8, 2012)

• Participants discussed evolutionary algorithms for analog electronic circuit design, with Kanzure sharing a GitHub repository (https://github.com/Ttl/evolutionary-circuits) demonstrating interest in applying evolutionary approaches to hardware optimization.

• The channel explored the employment crisis for PhD scientists, highlighting how postdocs are exploited with low wages ($28-37K/year) and excessive hours, creating what one article termed "disguised unemployment" in academia.

• Hardware prototyping challenges were contrasted with software development, noting that hardware development faces significantly longer turnaround times despite access to hackerspaces.

• DIY microfluidics was a major topic, with participants discussing various techniques including hackteria, ovenbake methods, lamination, laser cutting, photolithography, and electrowetting, with resources available at http://diyhpl.us/~bryan/papers2/microfluidics/.

• Kanzure shared plans to build a laser cutter for microfluidic prototypes, highlighting logistics as the primary challenge in coordinating equipment and collaborators.

• The conversation touched on DIY biology communities in different cities (Austin, NYC) and the challenges of building local biohacker communities.

• Software contracting was discussed as a funding mechanism for DIY science projects, with recommended rates of $40-75/hour for beginners and $200-500/day for daily rates, noting the high demand for developers particularly in San Francisco.