# Key Technical Discussions from #hplusroadmap IRC Logs

• Participants explored low-cost DIY photolithography approaches using repurposed Blu-ray optical head assemblies, DLP projectors with 405nm lasers, and microscope adaptations, with the goal of achieving micron-scale resolution for applications like microfluidic device fabrication.

• The group discussed various photosensitive materials for microfabrication, including Foturan (a specialized lithium-potassium glass) and photopolymers with ceramic particles, with one participant suggesting high-power UV projection could enable precision ceramic mold creation for single crystalline jet turbine blades.

• A significant conversation centered on NanoEngineer-1 software's capabilities and limitations, particularly its use of GROMACS, GAMESS, and MPQC for molecular dynamics simulations, while noting deficiencies in modeling metal bonding and atom interactions.

• Researchers shared and discussed an extensive deep learning survey paper (http://arxiv.org/abs/1404.7828) titled "Deep Learning in Neural Networks: An Overview," though noting it was not yet complete.

• The group critiqued scientific publications that claim to describe low-cost systems but fail to provide complete bills of materials or adequate replication details, emphasizing the importance of proper documentation for open science.

• Participants discussed optical tweezers technology with reference to a Harvard parts list, showing interest in DIY approaches to optical manipulation for research applications.

• Development plans were shared for creating a paper scraping framework with an API to solve "embedability problems," with a target completion date of June 30th for porting existing paper-scrapers to the new system.