# Key Technical and Conceptual Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Logs

• A participant reported successful results from their homemade Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) project, achieving nanometer-scale imaging of gold plating on nickel and HOPG (Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite) at room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure.

• Researchers discussed an interesting nanoscale phenomenon called "solvent cavitation under solvo-phobic confinement" where liquid spontaneously evaporates when confined within tiny hydrophobic spaces, as documented in a Nature Nanotechnology paper about carbon-based rods with humidity-responsive properties.

• Kanzure argued against human genome synthesis as an efficient target for large-scale DNA synthesis, suggesting that molecular nanotechnology using proteins as building blocks would be more effective, and that longevity challenges might ultimately be addressed through mind uploading rather than biological interventions.

• Materials science discussions included the potential for creating oriented strand basalt by blowing basalt dust through a solar concentrator focal point, potentially offering advantages over aerated refractory blocks.

• Participants shared technical knowledge about cannabis technology, including hormone-based feminization techniques (using colloidal silver), CBD purification methods, and applications of super/subcritical CO2 extraction technology that extends to SEM preparation, aerogel production, and other industrial processes.

• Evidence of ongoing biohacking activities emerged through mentions of implantable RFID technology, with one user noting they had an xNT implantable tag that could be read but not written to by their cell phone.