# Key Points from IRC Discussion

• Developers explored ImplicitCAD and ExtOpenSCAD for microfluidic mixer design, with nmz787 sharing a sinusoidal mixer design and noting significant quality improvements when increasing rendering parameters, though at the cost of much larger file sizes (115MB).

• Participants discussed preserved brain samples of Len Sassaman, revealing that some cryopreserved brain matter exists but not a full cryonics preservation, highlighting the current limitations of preservation techniques.

• The conversation critiqued approaches to life extension research funding, with arguments that proper planning should consider extremely long timeframes (100-10,000 years) rather than relying on donation drives, and should pursue multiple approaches simultaneously.

• Mike Darwin's writings on cryonics were examined, particularly his distinction between "high technology" and "futile technology," alongside concerns about increasing dementia rates (from ~1% to ~30%) affecting cryonics viability.

• Space technology concepts were debated, including the relative merits of satellite refueling versus "satellite tugs" for extending satellite lifespans, along with various asteroid deflection methods including impact approaches, electrical charging, and particle beams.

• Participants shared educational resources for teaching mathematics to children, including "Donald Duck in Mathmagic Land," "Quantum Physics for Babies," and the "Living Math" approach that teaches mathematical concepts through historical context.

• The discussion explored nonlinear optics and the Kerr effect, covering technical details about optical heterodyning, self-focusing, and the electric field strengths at which optical materials begin to exhibit nonlinear properties.