Building DIY research equipment
September 14, 2012
Parametric automated filter wheel changer (credit: Joshua Pierce)
The open-source paradigm is now enabling creation of open-source scientific hardware by combining three-dimensional (3D) printing with open-source microcontrollers running on free and open-source software (FOSS), says Michigan Technological University scientist Joshua M. Pearce in the current issue of Science.
A key enabling open-source hardware project is the Arduino electronic prototyping platform. The $20 to $30 Arduino is a versatile yet easy-to-learn microcontroller that can run a number of associated scientific instruments, including Arduino Geiger (radiation detector), pHduino (pH meter), Xoscillo (oscilloscope), and OpenPCR (DNA analysis).
However, Arduino’s most impressive enabling application
is 3D printing. The most popular fabrication tool is the <$1000 RepRap printer, which can fabricate about 50% of its own parts.
Scientists with access to RepRaps have found many examples where it is less expensive to design and print research tools rather than buy them. A number of simple designs are flourishing in Thingiverse, a free and
open repository for digital designs of physical objects.
For example, it is now possible to make a <$50 customizable automated filter wheel that replaces $2500 commercial versions.
Comments (9)
by asiwel
I wish manufacturers would publish 3-D printer instructions for simple replacement parts such as the little flat filters for Roomba vacuum cleaners, etc. These would be like software updates, downloadable manuals, etc., to be found in the “support/maintenance/troubleshooting” sections of corporate web sites. At present, anyway, this would hardly detract from commercial sales of parts and would be so educational and exciting as activities for children to learn and contribute by making good stuff. That would sure beat the generic “can-opener” we learned to make and fire in “metal shop” when I was in junior high school.
by Foye Lowe
Do it yourself, from IUDs to IEDs . . .
by Bri
Not really. IED and IUDs are really easy to make. Even good old fashion gunpowder is amazingly powerful. Stump remover, lamp black and sulphur. There you go, just don’t blow yourself up!
by Bri
I read it in popular science magazine, so if your the FEDS reading this, please don’t bust down my door.
by Bri
Oh if only pinky and the brain had access to this! They could rule the world.
by Marcos Marin
They will soon! :-D
by Bri
i hope so. Pinky is so cute. He’d make a great vice president. I don’t know about the brain. He’s a little too sinister for my tastes!
by Gorden Russell
Just think what this will mean to poor grad students.
by Gauss156
And citizen science…