Open Labware: 3-D Printing Your Own Lab Equipment

Baden, Tom; Chagas, André Maia; Gage, Gregory J.; Marzullo, Timothy C.; Prieto-Godino, Lucía L.; Euler, Thomas

doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002086

Cited by 275 publications

(252 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…There are numerous examples of FOSH scientific equipment in all fields, ranging from syringe pumps [6] to self-assembling robots [7]. Examples exist in the field of biology [8][9][10][11][12], optics [13], and microfluidics [14,15]. Many open tools exist for physics and materials, including radial stretching systems with force sensors [16], a robot-assisted mass spectrometry assay platform [17], a large stage four-point probe [18], and automated microscopes [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

General Design Procedure for Free and Open-Source Hardware for Scientific Equipment

Oberloier

Pearce

2017

Designs

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Distributed digital manufacturing of free and open-source scientific hardware (FOSH) used for scientific experiments has been shown to in general reduce the costs of scientific hardware by 90-99%. In part due to these cost savings, the manufacturing of scientific equipment is beginning to move away from a central paradigm of purchasing proprietary equipment to one in which scientists themselves download open-source designs, fabricate components with digital manufacturing technology, and then assemble the equipment themselves. This trend introduces a need for new formal design procedures that designers can follow when targeting this scientific audience. This study provides five steps in the procedure, encompassing six design principles for the development of free and open-source hardware for scientific applications. A case study is provided for an open-source slide dryer that can be easily fabricated for under $20, which is more than 300 times less than some commercial alternatives. The bespoke design is parametric and easily adjusted for many applications. By designing using open-source principles and the proposed procedures, the outcome will be customizable, under control of the researcher, less expensive than commercial options, more maintainable, and will have many applications that benefit the user since the design documentation is open and freely accessible.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

General Design Procedure for Free and Open-Source Hardware for Scientific Equipment

Oberloier

Pearce

2017

Designs

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“…A growing number of people and organizations around the world are developing and using OSH (e.g. Baden et al, 2015;Pearce, 2014), but a coherent, self-organizing international community has yet to emerge that can drive the required social change within institutions: effecting change through laws, policies and common practice that would make open science with open hardware the norm.…”

Section: What Is the Gathering For Open Science Hardware (Gosh)?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Gathering for Open Science Hardware 2016

Dosemagen¹,

Liboiron²,

Molloy

2017

Journal of Open Hardware

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Without hardware, there is no science. Instruments, reagents, computers, and other equipment are essential for producing systematic knowledge. Yet, current supply chains limit access and impede creativity and customization through high mark-ups and proprietary designs, compounded by proprietary hardware licenses and patents. Open Science Hardware (OSH) addresses part of this problem by sharing designs, instructions for building, and protocols. Expanding the reach of OSH within academic research, NGO initiatives, citizen science, and education has potential to increase access to experimental tools and facilitate their customization and reuse. We organized with others the "Gathering for Open Science Hardware" (GOSH) in 2016 to address what we see as the primary barrier to OSH: early adopters are disparate and separated by geographical and disciplinary borders which limit interaction, exchange and community building. This inaugural gathering brought together 50 of the most active developers, users, and thinkers in the OSH movement, complemented by expertise from diverse backgrounds, to seed a global community. This article provides a review of the activities and debates we conducted at GOSH 2016.

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“…Of potential interest is that both of our approaches can also be exploited on other types of laboratory equipment. One can easily interface the multiple outputs of the RPi to an existing or ''hand-made'' equipment, or extends existing programs (Baden et al, 2015;Keulartz & Van den Belt, 2016;Pearce, 2012;Landrain et al, 2013). Future use of the Minecraft program can let access to multiple player in the ''virtual laboratory'', either by a local or internet connection.…”

Section: Possible Extensionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The general interest in using and developing low cost, open source labware is gaining considerable traction in garages, academic labs and commercial spaces (Baden et al, 2015;Keulartz & Van den Belt, 2016). This is largely being driven by the so-called ''maker movement'' in which people are now exploiting the widespread popularity and accessibility of fabrication tools (3D printers,laser cutters,CNC machines,etc.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Utilizing social media and video games to control #DIY microscopes

Leblanc-Latour

Bryan

Pelling

2017

PeerJ Computer Science

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Open-source lab equipment is becoming more widespread with the popularization of fabrication tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, open source microcontrollers and open source software. Although many pieces of common laboratory equipment have been developed, software control of these items is sometimes lacking. Specifically, control software that can be easily implemented and enable user-input and control over multiple platforms (PC, smartphone, web, etc.). The aim of this proof-of principle study was to develop and implement software for the control of a low-cost, 3D printed microscope. Here, we present two approaches which enable microscope control by exploiting the functionality of the social media platform Twitter or player actions inside of the videogame Minecraft. The microscope was constructed from a modified web-camera and implemented on a Raspberry Pi computer. Three aspects of microscope control were tested, including single image capture, focus control and time-lapse imaging. The Twitter embodiment enabled users to send 'tweets' directly to the microscope. Image data acquired by the microscope was then returned to the user through a Twitter reply and stored permanently on the photo-sharing platform Flickr, along with any relevant metadata. Local control of the microscope was also implemented by utilizing the video game Minecraft, in situations where Internet connectivity is not present or stable. A virtual laboratory was constructed inside the Minecraft world and player actions inside the laboratory were linked to specific microscope functions. Here, we present the methodology and results of these experiments and discuss possible limitations and future extensions of this work.

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Open Labware: 3-D Printing Your Own Lab Equipment

Cited by 275 publications

References 24 publications

General Design Procedure for Free and Open-Source Hardware for Scientific Equipment

General Design Procedure for Free and Open-Source Hardware for Scientific Equipment

Gathering for Open Science Hardware 2016

Utilizing social media and video games to control #DIY microscopes

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