# Key Points from IRC Log

• Abetusk developed gbl2ngc, a tool for converting Gerber files to G-code that vectorizes the Gerbers rather than converting to an image first, avoiding the "stepped" diagonal lines that occur in image-based conversion tools.

• Nmz787 worked on modifying a NEJE laser etcher, attempting to implement smoothed-PWM on an LM317 voltage regulator but encountered issues with minimum voltage output (1.25V) and minimum load requirements.

• Chris_99 and nmz787 discussed DNA analysis techniques for plant species identification, including STR analysis, RFLP, capillary electrophoresis, and the challenges of DNA fragmentation methods like sonication versus enzyme-based approaches.

• Kanzure shared information about protein design becoming more routine, noting that while protein folding is technically an NP-hard problem, there are now approximations that can solve it efficiently with sufficient computing resources.

• A neural network for colorizing grayscale images was shared (https://github.com/pavelgonchar/colornet), demonstrating advances in AI-based image processing.

• A discussion about telomere lengthening via gene therapy was shared, with skepticism noted about a study claiming telomere extension, as 44% of people naturally have longer telomeres than they did 10 years earlier.

• Nmz787 described plans for creating microfluidic devices using photoresist exposure techniques with a laser etcher, where photoresist is exposed, cured, covered with silicone, and then peeled to create layered microfluidic structures.