# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion

• Researchers discussed advanced materials science, specifically Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs), which function as tunable molecular sieves or catalyst beds similar to zeolites.

• Self-experimentation in brain-computer interfaces was highlighted through Philip Kennedy's work, who implanted electrodes in his own cortex to record neural activity during speech production for developing speech synthesis technology.

• Chinese genetic engineering advances were noted, including CRISPR-edited beagles with doubled muscle mass through myostatin gene deletion, part of broader efforts involving various animals and human embryos.

• Open-source scientific hardware projects were shared, including CCD-based spectrometers, Open Ephys platform, gamma ray detectors, and near-infrared spectroscopy tools, demonstrating the community's focus on democratizing scientific equipment.

• Advanced molecular imaging techniques were discussed in detail, including cryo-electron microscopy tomography, atomic force microscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy, with technical debate about dielectric properties and their effects on DNA imaging.

• The community explored alternative scientific publishing models, criticizing traditional peer review while supporting more open approaches like arXiv preprints, and noted how scientists use social media (#icanhazpdf) to circumvent journal paywalls.