Scientific Instruments based on open source designs
The combination of 3D-printing and microcontrollers running on free software enables scientists and lab technicians to design powerful research tools at unprecedented low costs. While open-source scientific hardware is still at an early stage of the evolutionary process, it has great potential to democratize science but also to develop truly innovative and highly functional scientific instruments together - for example during joint research projects. The 'source codes', i.e. recipe of components (CAD files, material, ...) and assembly instructions, of hundreds of scientific tools are already freely available in repositories such as Gaudi Labs, NIH 3D print exchange, Open Hardware Repository, PLOSone, Thingiverse and many others.
A few exciting example designs such as the
- Plant "PhenoBox",
- "RoPod" chambers for Arabidopsis roots,
- "Syringe pump", and "Microinjection dispenser" for laboratory use,
- "operant chamber" for behaviour studies, or an
- "insect trap monitoring system" enabling timely pest control,
are highlighted to illustrate the potential of the open hardware / open source movement to "democratize" science. While open hardware has a bright future and is likely to play an increasingly important role in the scientific community, a key challenge is to ensure the quality and accuracy of the instruments. This is ofc particularly the case where open hardware designs are used for critical applications such as medical research or diagnostics. However, with appropriate oversight and quality control measures, these challenges can be overcome. Overall, the emphasis on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and democratizing access to scientific instruments is likely to drive innovation and benefit the scientific community and society in many ways for years to come.
Open Hardware - Design Examples
Open-Source Plant Imaging / Shoot Phenotyping
Open-Source Root Microscopy Chamber
Open-Source Laboratory Syringe Pump
Open-Source Operant Chamber for Rodents
Open-Source Insect Trap
Ejection of pico- & nanoliter volumes
Help with Open Hardware
Helping to realize open hardware designs. Although open source designs are often published with assembly instructions aimed at the non-specialist, a basic understanding of physics, electronics and computer programming concepts is certainly helpful. If you are concerned about whether DIY scientific instruments based on open hardware designs will meet the high quality standards required for your research, if you simply don't have the time to 3D print, laser cut and/or solder (some) components yourself, or if you prefer to buy an open source instrument that has been professionally assembled, Vienna Scientific Instruments is your partner. We precisely manufacture and assemble the open source kits you need for your research or educational purposes. Contact us if you need any support setting-up open hardware projects or if you are interested to adapt designs to your requirements. Please be aware that without a joint R&D project we produce the open hardware as described in the related documentation / publication or implement modifications as defined by the customer.
Selected readings on open-source hardware in the natural sciences
- Baden, T., A. M. Chagas, G. Gage, T. Marzullo, L. L. Prieto-Godino, and T. Euler. (2015). Open Labware: 3-D Printing Your Own Lab Equipment. PLoS Biol 13:e1002086.
- Bonvoisin, J., Molloy, J., Häuer, M., & Wenzel, T. (2020). Standardisation of practices in open source hardware. arXiv preprint arXiv:2004.07143
- Guichard, M., Holla, S., Wernerová, D., Grossmann, G., & Minina, E. A. (2021). RoPod, a customizable toolkit for non-invasive root imaging, reveals cell type-specific dynamics of plant autophagy. bioRxiv, 2021-12.
- Hixson, J. L., & Ward, A. S. (2022). Hardware selection and performance of low-cost fluorometers. Sensors, 22(6), 2319.
- Niezen, G., Eslambolchilar, P., & Thimbleby, H. (2016). Open-source hardware for medical devices. BMJ innovations, 2(2).
- Pearce, J. M. 2013. Open-source lab: how to build your own hardware and reduce research costs. 1. ed. Elsevier, Oxford. 240p ISBN 9780124104624
- Schrader, M. J., Smytheman, P., Beers, E. H., & Khot, L. R. (2022). An open-source low-cost imaging system plug-in for pheromone traps aiding remote insect pest population monitoring in fruit crops. Machines, 10(1), 52.
- Sharkey, J. P., D. C. W. Foo, A. Kabla, J. J. Baumberg, and R. W. Bowman. (2016). A one-piece 3D printed flexure translation stage for open-source microscopy. Review of Scientific Instruments 87:025104.
- Wijnen, B., E. J. Hunt, G. C. Anzalone, and J. M. Pearce. (2014). Open-source syringe pump library. PLoS ONE 9:e107216.
- Zhang, C., N. C. Anzalone, R. P. Faria, and J. M. Pearce. (2013). Open-source 3D-printable optics equipment. PLoS ONE 8:e59840.
VSI Fair Play Commitment
In order not to hinder the development of the open lab/hardware movement, we guarantee that potentially modified design files, bills of materials and any software required to run the open source hardware will be made available to the scientific community.