Brain dump
Julian's ideas
- 01
Casimir-effect nanomachines
Nanomachines that move using the Casimir effect and zero-point vibration, scaled up for propulsion.
Notes
The Casimir effect is an attractive force between closely spaced surfaces caused by vacuum fluctuations (zero-point energy). The idea: engineer nanoscale structures where that force is asymmetric, producing directed motion — a vacuum-driven actuator with no moving parts in the classical sense. Scale it across an array and you get propulsion. Two honest caveats: the force is minuscule at practical scales, and extracting usable energy from the vacuum is a famously contentious topic, so the realistic target is actuation and precision positioning (e.g. MEMS, micro-robots) rather than free energy.
- 02
Local meeting transcriber
Hardware + local software for face-to-face meeting transcription — sync and manage transcripts, summarized by local AI.
Notes
An open device you drop on the table that records who said what. On-device transcription, no cloud involved. The software side syncs and manages transcripts locally and runs a local model (e.g. Ollama) for summaries and action items. Built for GDPR: nothing leaves the room. Hardware: off-the-shelf mic array + a small board.
- 03
Growbot
Open-source, low-budget robot that grows veggies at home.
Notes
A cheap, open-source robot that takes care of a home veggie garden: watering, light, soil sensing, and a camera to spot pests. Everything on standard, low-cost parts — printable frame, stepper + pump — with firmware and app fully open source. The point is a <$100 starter build and a friendly community.
- 04
Agent book
A programming book that is usable with AI agents.
Notes
A programming book written for how people actually read now: with AI agents as co-readers. Every chapter ships as source + prompts, so an agent can build the examples, answer questions, and keep the book current. Not AI-washing a normal book — the structure itself is agent-native.