# Key Points from IRC Discussion

• Participants explored advanced manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing with binder at 1200 dpi to create ultra-sharp cutting tools with 20-micron edges that might cut metal after furnace densification.

• The group discussed Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamond coating technology in detail, covering its requirements (1-27 kPa pressure, methane gas, hydrogen, 1000-1400K temperatures) and substrate limitations, noting that silicon, molybdenum, and tungsten work well while aluminum and certain glasses are unsuitable.

• Diamond technology applications were explored, including diamond-cathode vacuum tubes as potential LCD replacements and ultra-fast switches, with references to historical research showing that modern deposition rates (7 microns/hour) haven't significantly improved in 20+ years.

• Academic publishing reform was a significant topic, with mention of the Netherlands threatening to cancel Elsevier subscriptions unless open access was provided, and proposals for web tools to help journal contributors anonymously support transitioning to open access models.

• Resources shared included Amfeltec's GPU cluster computing solutions, a collection of Springer mathematics books, a paper on Popper's philosophy of science discussing "eliminative inference," and a fork of NanoEngineer molecular dynamics software.

• Participants discussed prebiotics research, specifically how bimuno-galactooligosaccharides (B-GOS) can reduce waking cortisol response and positively alter emotional processing.