We have similar interests if the goal is to make a viable interblock chain trade system.
I am exploring the possibility of using the Lighting Networks approach for a real time inter blockchain trade system, which requires a malleability fix in Bitcoin.
That was just me spit balling about a future feature (Smart Contracts) I think they have something simpler in mind.
NxtAT (Nat Automated Transactions) aims for Atomic Cross Chain Transactions. The Nxt core devs weren't convinced it was safe so it has been implemented in Burst (a Nxt clone with HDD mining). Qora is also implementing it so they should be able to demonstrate the tech soon (AT is intended to be blockchain agnostic, CIYAM is the dev). If it is safe and all is well, Nxt may integrate it into the core but it isn't guaranteed.
Thread: https://nxtforum.org/automated-transactions/information-of-the-at-project/
Another project is "FSM with assembly language", a similar thing cone by one of the devs from the AT project. This has been implemented in NFD (now HZ), which is another Nxt clone. That is on the testnet now IIRC.
Thread: https://nxtforum.org/automated-transactions/fsm-with-assembly-language/
You might want to post in these threads if you want to know more.