Pub Date : 2024-11-12DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00607
Daniel M. Pineda-Tobón, Albeiro Espinosa-Bedoya, Jhon W. Branch-Bedoya
We present AQuality32, an open-source air quality monitoring device designed to address the challenges faced by small research teams in accessing affordable and versatile air quality monitoring solutions. The device utilizes an ESP32 System on Module (SoM) and integrates sensors for CO2 (SDC30 from Sensirion) and particulate matter (HM3301 from Seeed) measurement, along with temperature, relative humidity, and extensive sensing possibilities. It can be powered by a battery and is suitable for both stationary and on-the-go measurements. The paper details the hardware description, building instructions, programming, calibration procedures, and data collection setup for AQuality32. Validation experiments assess communication stability, geolocation accuracy, and environmental monitoring capabilities. The results demonstrate the device’s reliability, affordability, and suitability for various applications in environmental sciences, public health, and indoor/outdoor air quality monitoring. The paper emphasizes the importance of robust solutions, openness, and easy documentation for widespread adoption and impact in air quality research and monitoring.
{"title":"Aquality32: A low-cost, open-source air quality monitoring device leveraging the ESP32 and google platform","authors":"Daniel M. Pineda-Tobón, Albeiro Espinosa-Bedoya, Jhon W. Branch-Bedoya","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00607","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00607","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We present AQuality32, an open-source air quality monitoring device designed to address the challenges faced by small research teams in accessing affordable and versatile air quality monitoring solutions. The device utilizes an ESP32 System on Module (SoM) and integrates sensors for CO<sub>2</sub> (SDC30 from Sensirion) and particulate matter (HM3301 from Seeed) measurement, along with temperature, relative humidity, and extensive sensing possibilities. It can be powered by a battery and is suitable for both stationary and on-the-go measurements. The paper details the hardware description, building instructions, programming, calibration procedures, and data collection setup for AQuality32. Validation experiments assess communication stability, geolocation accuracy, and environmental monitoring capabilities. The results demonstrate the device’s reliability, affordability, and suitability for various applications in environmental sciences, public health, and indoor/outdoor air quality monitoring. The paper emphasizes the importance of robust solutions, openness, and easy documentation for widespread adoption and impact in air quality research and monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article e00607"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142655683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-09DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00602
Ziad Ibbini , Maria Bruning , Sakina Allili , Luke A Holmes , Ellen Tully , Jamie McCoy , Benjamin Larsen , Tony Wilson , Guy Ludford , Jack Barrett-Kelly , John I. Spicer , Oliver Tills
Phenomics is the acquisition of high-dimensional data on an individual-wide scale and is proving transformational in areas of biological research related to human health including medicine and the crop sciences. However, more broadly, a lack of accessible transferrable technologies and research approaches is significantly hindering the uptake of phenomics, in contrast to molecular-omics for which transferrable technologies have been a significant enabler. Aquatic embryos are natural models for phenomics, due to their small size, taxonomic diversity, ecological relevance, and high levels of temporal, spatial and functional change. Here, we present LabEmbryoCam, an autonomous phenotyping platform for timelapse imaging of developing aquatic embryos cultured in a multiwell plate format, and while optimised for embryos, the instrument is extremely versatile. The LabEmbryoCam capitalises on 3D printing, single board computers, consumer electronics and stepper motor enabled motion. We combine these into a compact and modular laboratory insturment to provide X, Y and Z motion of a camera and lens, a web application streamlined for rapid setup of experiments, user email notifications and a humidification chamber to reduce evaporation over prolonged acquisitions. Downstream analyses are provided, enabling automated embryo segmentation, heartrate measurement, motion tracking, and energy proxy trait (EPT) measurement. The LabEmbryoCam is a scalable, and flexible laboratory instrument, that leverages embryonic and early life stage organisms to tackle key global challenges including biological sensitivity assessment, toxicological screening, but also to support broader engagement with the earliest stages of life.
表型组学是在整个个体范围内获取高维数据的方法,在与人类健康有关的生物研究领域,包括医学和作物科学领域,表型组学被证明具有变革性意义。然而,从更广泛的意义上讲,缺乏可获得的可转移技术和研究方法严重阻碍了表型组学的应用,这与分子组学形成了鲜明对比,后者的可转移技术一直是重要的推动因素。水生胚胎是表型组学的天然模型,因为它们体积小、分类多样、与生态相关,而且在时间、空间和功能上变化很大。在这里,我们展示了 LabEmbryoCam,这是一个自主表型平台,用于对以多孔板格式培养的发育中的水生胚胎进行延时成像。LabEmbryoCam 利用 3D 打印、单板计算机、消费电子产品和步进电机实现运动。我们将这些技术结合到一个紧凑的模块化实验室设备中,提供相机和镜头的 X、Y 和 Z 运动、一个用于快速设置实验的精简网络应用程序、用户电子邮件通知和一个用于减少长时间采集时蒸发的加湿器。该系统还提供下游分析功能,可自动进行胚胎分割、心率测量、运动跟踪和能量代理性状(EPT)测量。LabEmbryoCam 是一种可扩展、灵活的实验室仪器,可利用胚胎和生命早期阶段的生物体来应对关键的全球性挑战,包括生物敏感性评估、毒理学筛选,同时也支持更广泛地参与生命的最初阶段。
{"title":"LabEmbryoCam: An opensource phenotyping system for developing aquatic animals","authors":"Ziad Ibbini , Maria Bruning , Sakina Allili , Luke A Holmes , Ellen Tully , Jamie McCoy , Benjamin Larsen , Tony Wilson , Guy Ludford , Jack Barrett-Kelly , John I. Spicer , Oliver Tills","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00602","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00602","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phenomics is the acquisition of high-dimensional data on an individual-wide scale and is proving transformational in areas of biological research related to human health including medicine and the crop sciences. However, more broadly, a lack of accessible transferrable technologies and research approaches is significantly hindering the uptake of phenomics, in contrast to molecular-omics for which transferrable technologies have been a significant enabler. Aquatic embryos are natural models for phenomics, due to their small size, taxonomic diversity, ecological relevance, and high levels of temporal, spatial and functional change. Here, we present LabEmbryoCam, an autonomous phenotyping platform for timelapse imaging of developing aquatic embryos cultured in a multiwell plate format, and while optimised for embryos, the instrument is extremely versatile. The LabEmbryoCam capitalises on 3D printing, single board computers, consumer electronics and stepper motor enabled motion. We combine these into a compact and modular laboratory insturment to provide X, Y and Z motion of a camera and lens, a web application streamlined for rapid setup of experiments, user email notifications and a humidification chamber to reduce evaporation over prolonged acquisitions. Downstream analyses are provided, enabling automated embryo segmentation, heartrate measurement, motion tracking, and energy proxy trait (EPT) measurement. The LabEmbryoCam is a scalable, and flexible laboratory instrument, that leverages embryonic and early life stage organisms to tackle key global challenges including biological sensitivity assessment, toxicological screening, but also to support broader engagement with the earliest stages of life.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article e00602"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142655697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The permeability-based assay is commonly used to assess intestinal barrier function, and it relies on using a transwell insert as an essential compartment. The device consists of a semipermeable membrane that is attached at the bottom of the insert and splits the system into the apical and basolateral compartments. However, commercial inserts are standardized with different pore sizes based on the application and offer only a flat plane of two-dimensional cell culture. Herein, we present a simple, low-cost 3D-printed transwell device and a robust method to functionalize the inserts for paper-based 3D cell culture. This 3D-printed device was fabricated from a polylactic acid (PLA) filament, and a paper membrane used to support HT-29 cells for intestinal permeability assessment. A device showed good biocompatibility when culturing HT-29 cells for 48 and 72 h with 97 % and 98 % cell viability, respectively. Together with fluorescence images, cells were attached directly to the microfiber networks of a Matrigel-functionalized paper, indicating that the functionalized paper is biocompatible and bioactive. Furthermore, in a more appropriate culture microenvironment, SEM analyses revealed cellular features differentiating into mucus-secreting cells, evidenced by the formation of microvilli on the cell surface, which was further confirmed by immunofluorescence staining of villin-1. To demonstrate the usability of the 3D-printed transwell device, intestinal permeability was assessed using both chemical and biological stimulation treatments. The permeability results employing FITC-dextran validated the association between a different level of relative fluorescence intensity unit (RFU) and the orange color of live cells by CellTrackerTM. As a result, this 3D-printed transwell device provides a straightforward and cost-effective method for manufacturing a device for customization in many laboratory settings, making it a feasible alternative to marketed transwell devices that do not allow for customization.
{"title":"A customizable and low-cost 3D-printed transwell device coupled with 3D cell culture for permeability assay","authors":"Pitaksit Supjaroen , Wisanu Niamsi , Pannawich Thirabowonkitphithan , Parichut Thummarati , Wanida Laiwattanapaisal","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00603","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00603","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The permeability-based assay is commonly used to assess intestinal barrier function, and it relies on using a transwell insert as an essential compartment. The device consists of a semipermeable membrane that is attached at the bottom of the insert and splits the system into the apical and basolateral compartments. However, commercial inserts are standardized with different pore sizes based on the application and offer only a flat plane of two-dimensional cell culture. Herein, we present a simple, low-cost 3D-printed transwell device and a robust method to functionalize the inserts for paper-based 3D cell culture. This 3D-printed device was fabricated from a polylactic acid (PLA) filament, and a paper membrane used to support HT-29 cells for intestinal permeability assessment. A device showed good biocompatibility when culturing HT-29 cells for 48 and 72 h with 97 % and 98 % cell viability, respectively. Together with fluorescence images, cells were attached directly to the microfiber networks of a Matrigel-functionalized paper, indicating that the functionalized paper is biocompatible and bioactive. Furthermore, in a more appropriate culture microenvironment, SEM analyses revealed cellular features differentiating into mucus-secreting cells, evidenced by the formation of microvilli on the cell surface, which was further confirmed by immunofluorescence staining of villin-1. To demonstrate the usability of the 3D-printed transwell device, intestinal permeability was assessed using both chemical and biological stimulation treatments. The permeability results employing FITC-dextran validated the association between a different level of relative fluorescence intensity unit (RFU) and the orange color of live cells by CellTracker<sup>TM</sup>. As a result, this 3D-printed transwell device provides a straightforward and cost-effective method for manufacturing a device for customization in many laboratory settings, making it a feasible alternative to marketed transwell devices that do not allow for customization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article e00603"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142655696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-28DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00600
Tim Kobelt, Martin Lippmann, Alexander Nitschke, Lou Kielhorn, Stefan Zimmermann
Ion mobility spectrometers (IMS) are used in a wide variety of applications, including trace gas detection in safety and security applications, but also in more analytical applications, e.g., in medicine or food quality monitoring. Consequently, IMS are often coupled with other separation techniques and laboratory equipment, requiring synchronization between the external equipment and the IMS electronics. In addition, IMS and the associated electronics are becoming increasingly complex due to ongoing instrumental developments. In this work, we present an open source data acquisition hardware tailored to the requirements of advanced IMS, but also applicable to other applications. The data acquisition hardware provides trigger pulses for synchronized operation of the IMS ion gate or external devices. In addition, the data acquisition hardware allows for parallel digitalization using two isolated 16-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADC) with up to 250 kilosamples per second. The galvanically isolated trigger input ensures a synchronized start of the IMS measurements, particularly when connecting external instrumentation such as a gas chromatograph. Furthermore, due to the isolated ADCs, the hardware allows great flexibility in defining the ground potential of the instrument setup.
{"title":"An open source isolated data acquisition with trigger pulse generation for ion mobility spectrometry","authors":"Tim Kobelt, Martin Lippmann, Alexander Nitschke, Lou Kielhorn, Stefan Zimmermann","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00600","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00600","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ion mobility spectrometers (IMS) are used in a wide variety of applications, including trace gas detection in safety and security applications, but also in more analytical applications, e.g., in medicine or food quality monitoring. Consequently, IMS are often coupled with other separation techniques and laboratory equipment, requiring synchronization between the external equipment and the IMS electronics. In addition, IMS and the associated electronics are becoming increasingly complex due to ongoing instrumental developments. In this work, we present an open source data acquisition hardware tailored to the requirements of advanced IMS, but also applicable to other applications. The data acquisition hardware provides trigger pulses for synchronized operation of the IMS ion gate or external devices. In addition, the data acquisition hardware allows for parallel digitalization using two isolated 16-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADC) with up to 250<!--> <!-->kilosamples per second. The galvanically isolated trigger input ensures a synchronized start of the IMS measurements, particularly when connecting external instrumentation such as a gas chromatograph. Furthermore, due to the isolated ADCs, the hardware allows great flexibility in defining the ground potential of the instrument setup.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article e00600"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142552333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-24DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00597
Karen Ospino-Villalba , Daniel Gaviria , Daniel Pineda , Juan Pérez
Plant health and nutrition are universally inferred from leaf chlorophyll content. This research developed a 3D-printed accessory which attaches to the ambient light sensor in a smartphone to estimate leaf chlorophyll content in five tropical plant species. It unveils 3D printing files and assembling details to freely built the accessory anywhere. It is made from a 3D-printed body, a lighting circuit and common spare parts to measure a 663 nm LED band transmission through intact plant leaves. This chlorophyll absorbing light band allows to measure its concentration. The device was tested by comparing its readings to the universal spectrophotometric test or by leaf parallel measurements with a standard SPAD 502™ meter, and it performed as well as these universal standard methods. Due to well-studied relationships between chlorophyll concentration and nutritional status of plants, and the ubiquitous presence of other sensors in smartphones today, the independent improvement and adoption of this smartphone-connected system would ease the spread of precision farming and digital agronomy practices throughout the different scales of agriculture.
{"title":"A 3D-Printable smartphone accessory for plant leaf chlorophyll measurement","authors":"Karen Ospino-Villalba , Daniel Gaviria , Daniel Pineda , Juan Pérez","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00597","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00597","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plant health and nutrition are universally inferred from leaf chlorophyll content. This research developed a 3D-printed accessory which attaches to the ambient light sensor in a smartphone to estimate leaf chlorophyll content in five tropical plant species. It unveils 3D printing files and assembling details to freely built the accessory anywhere. It is made from a 3D-printed body, a lighting circuit and common spare parts to measure a 663 nm LED band transmission through intact plant leaves. This chlorophyll absorbing light band allows to measure its concentration. The device was tested by comparing its readings to the universal spectrophotometric test or by leaf parallel measurements with a standard SPAD 502™ meter, and it performed as well as these universal standard methods. Due to well-studied relationships between chlorophyll concentration and nutritional status of plants, and the ubiquitous presence of other sensors in smartphones today, the independent improvement and adoption of this smartphone-connected system would ease the spread of precision farming and digital agronomy practices throughout the different scales of agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article e00597"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142552007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-23DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00601
Dylan List , Alan Gardner , Isabella Claure , Joyce Y. Wong , Keith A. Brown
The automated soft matter indenter (ASMI) is a platform for rapidly performing mechanical characterization of samples with elastic moduli in the range 7 kPa to 67 MPa with a sample acquisition time between 1 and 10 min. It is a low-cost system based upon open-source software, a modified mill, and an educational force sensor with a total bill of materials <$500. This system tests batches of up to 96 samples based on a standard well-plate sample holder without requiring any human intervention. Using the ASMI, users can obtain mechanical data in a programmable manner that enables high-throughput workflows, precisely testing time-dependent phenomena, and integration with other processing steps for closed-loop optimization.
{"title":"ASMI: An automated, low-cost indenter for soft matter","authors":"Dylan List , Alan Gardner , Isabella Claure , Joyce Y. Wong , Keith A. Brown","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00601","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00601","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The automated soft matter indenter (ASMI) is a platform for rapidly performing mechanical characterization of samples with elastic moduli in the range 7 kPa to 67 MPa with a sample acquisition time between 1 and 10 min. It is a low-cost system based upon open-source software, a modified mill, and an educational force sensor with a total bill of materials <$500. This system tests batches of up to 96 samples based on a standard well-plate sample holder without requiring any human intervention. Using the ASMI, users can obtain mechanical data in a programmable manner that enables high-throughput workflows, precisely testing time-dependent phenomena, and integration with other processing steps for closed-loop optimization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article e00601"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142552334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-21DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00596
Dumitru Scutelnic , Riccardo Muradore , Claudia Daffara
Multispectral imaging (MSI) is a technique used to inspect materials properties in different domains, ranging from industrial to medical and cultural heritage and, recently, precision agriculture. Even though several MSI solutions are already commercially available, the research community is working to optimize multispectral cameras in terms of performance and cost. Systems for the agricultural field are usually very compact, combined with drones for large areas acquisition. In this work, we detail the implementation of an innovative, modular and low-cost solution of a multispectral camera based on three core camera systems in the optical (VIS–NIR) and thermal (LWIR) range. Multispectral imaging is performed with a rotating wheel of interchangeable band-pass filters. The system is also equipped with a set of environmental sensors to acquire CO2 concentration values, light intensity, temperature, and relative humidity of the surrounding environment. The technology and the measurement protocol were experimentally validated in laboratory and in open field. Advantages with respect to the available MSI cameras mounted on UAV is the integrated imaging in both the reflectance and the thermal emissive band in a close-up imaging setup and the use of environmental sensors. From the multispectral stack the spectral signature of the plants can be obtained and various vegetation indices (e.g., NDVI, NDRE) can be calculated for investigating the health status of the plant, while thermography provide additional monitoring. Close-up multispectral imaging is expected to tackle the new challenges of precision agriculture by enabling the acquisition of high-quality dataset on single plants.
{"title":"A multispectral camera in the VIS–NIR equipped with thermal imaging and environmental sensors for non invasive analysis in precision agriculture","authors":"Dumitru Scutelnic , Riccardo Muradore , Claudia Daffara","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00596","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00596","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Multispectral imaging (MSI) is a technique used to inspect materials properties in different domains, ranging from industrial to medical and cultural heritage and, recently, precision agriculture. Even though several MSI solutions are already commercially available, the research community is working to optimize multispectral cameras in terms of performance and cost. Systems for the agricultural field are usually very compact, combined with drones for large areas acquisition. In this work, we detail the implementation of an innovative, modular and low-cost solution of a multispectral camera based on three core camera systems in the optical (VIS–NIR) and thermal (LWIR) range. Multispectral imaging is performed with a rotating wheel of interchangeable band-pass filters. The system is also equipped with a set of environmental sensors to acquire CO<sub>2</sub> concentration values, light intensity, temperature, and relative humidity of the surrounding environment. The technology and the measurement protocol were experimentally validated in laboratory and in open field. Advantages with respect to the available MSI cameras mounted on UAV is the integrated imaging in both the reflectance and the thermal emissive band in a close-up imaging setup and the use of environmental sensors. From the multispectral stack the spectral signature of the plants can be obtained and various vegetation indices (e.g., NDVI, NDRE) can be calculated for investigating the health status of the plant, while thermography provide additional monitoring. Close-up multispectral imaging is expected to tackle the new challenges of precision agriculture by enabling the acquisition of high-quality dataset on single plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article e00596"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142573488","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-19DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00599
James Dominic O. Go, Neal Garnett T. Ong, Carlo A. Rafanan, Brian G. Tan, Timothy Scott C. Chu
Mobile Manipulators (MoMa) is a category of mobile robots designed to assist people with motor disabilities to perform object retrieval tasks using a webcam-based gaze control system. Using off-the-shelf components such as reproducible acrylic and 3D-printed plates, and a webcam for eye tracking, MoMa serves as an inexpensive, open-source, and customizable solution in assistive robotics. The robotic system consists of a mobile base that can move forward and backward, as well as turn in place; and a 2-axis cartesian arm equipped with a claw gripper that opens and closes. The simple movement of the robot also allows for a simple control method and graphical user interface (GUI). The user receives information about what is in front of the robot through a mounted camera, and, by looking at parts of the screen that correspond to controls, has their gaze predicted by a convolutional neural network and sends commands wirelessly. The performance of the entire system has been validated through testing of the gaze prediction model, the integration of the control system, as well as its task completion capabilities. All the design, construction and software files are freely available online under the CC BY 4.0 license at https://doi.org/10.17632/k7yfn6wdv7.2.
移动机械手(MoMa)是一类移动机器人,旨在利用基于网络摄像头的注视控制系统,协助运动残疾人士执行物体检索任务。MoMa 使用现成的组件(如可复制的丙烯酸板和 3D 打印板)和用于眼动跟踪的网络摄像头,是一种廉价、开源和可定制的辅助机器人解决方案。该机器人系统包括一个可前后移动和原地旋转的移动底座,以及一个配备了可开合爪式抓手的双轴笛卡尔机械臂。机器人的简单移动也使得控制方法和图形用户界面(GUI)变得简单。用户通过安装的摄像头接收机器人前方的信息,并通过观察屏幕上与控制相对应的部分,由卷积神经网络预测其视线,然后通过无线方式发送指令。通过对注视预测模型、控制系统集成以及任务完成能力的测试,整个系统的性能得到了验证。所有的设计、构造和软件文件均可在 https://doi.org/10.17632/k7yfn6wdv7.2 网站上以 CC BY 4.0 许可的方式免费获取。
{"title":"MoMa: An assistive mobile manipulator with a webcam-based gaze control system","authors":"James Dominic O. Go, Neal Garnett T. Ong, Carlo A. Rafanan, Brian G. Tan, Timothy Scott C. Chu","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00599","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00599","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Mobile Manipulators (MoMa) is a category of mobile robots</em> designed to assist people with motor disabilities to perform object retrieval tasks using a webcam-based gaze control system. Using off-the-shelf components such as reproducible acrylic and 3D-printed plates, and a webcam for eye tracking, <em>MoMa</em> serves as an inexpensive, open-source, and customizable solution in assistive robotics. The robotic system consists of a mobile base that can move forward and backward, as well as turn in place; and a 2-axis cartesian arm equipped with a claw gripper that opens and closes. The simple movement of the robot also allows for a simple control method and graphical user interface (GUI). The user receives information about what is in front of the robot through a mounted camera, and, by looking at parts of the screen that correspond to controls, has their gaze predicted by a convolutional neural network and sends commands wirelessly. The performance of the entire system has been validated through testing of the gaze prediction model, the integration of the control system, as well as its task completion capabilities. All the design, construction and software files are freely available online under the CC BY 4.0 license at <span><span>https://doi.org/10.17632/k7yfn6wdv7.2</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article e00599"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142531418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-19DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00598
Yonghun Cho , Sanghyun Kim , Jeongseop Lee , Dongwon Ko , Haesung Lee , Yunju Baek , Myungho Lee
The proper monitoring of heat and meteorological variables is essential for the well-being of residents of metropolitan areas. It is challenging to configure spatial heat variations in complex urban environments, even though the temporal variation of urban heat flux has been measured at several designated monitoring stations. Neither the budget nor existing techniques for efficient urban heat monitoring are sufficient for a digital twin of the urban heat environment. As a result, we have developed a low-cost monitoring system that can be easily integrated into a portable pedestrian device, kickboard, or electric bike. With this system, citizens can collect information about urban heat, such as air temperature, surface temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, light intensity, and micro-geophysical features including topological aspects and mobile information (e.g., three-dimensional accelerations). Citizens can participate in daily scientific activities using these devices, which facilitate data acquisition and information exchange in urban digital twin environments.
{"title":"Low-cost urban heat environment sensing device with Android platform for digital twin","authors":"Yonghun Cho , Sanghyun Kim , Jeongseop Lee , Dongwon Ko , Haesung Lee , Yunju Baek , Myungho Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00598","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00598","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The proper monitoring of heat and meteorological variables is essential for the well-being of residents of metropolitan areas. It is challenging to configure spatial heat variations in complex urban environments, even though the temporal variation of urban heat flux has been measured at several designated monitoring stations. Neither the budget nor existing techniques for efficient urban heat monitoring are sufficient for a digital twin of the urban heat environment. As a result, we have developed a low-cost monitoring system that can be easily integrated into a portable pedestrian device, kickboard, or electric bike. With this system, citizens can collect information about urban heat, such as air temperature, surface temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, light intensity, and micro-geophysical features including topological aspects and mobile information (e.g., three-dimensional accelerations). Citizens can participate in daily scientific activities using these devices, which facilitate data acquisition and information exchange in urban digital twin environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article e00598"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142531419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-18DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00594
Paulo V.R.M. Silva , Robert B. James , Kathryn L. Russell , Tim D. Fletcher , Maria F.S. Gisi , Oldrich Navratil , Frederic Cherqui , Etienne Cossart
The use of low-cost sensors, with open-source code, facilitates greater spatial resolution and flexibility of environmental monitoring, thus generating more information and overcoming limitations of traditional commercial sensors. Measurement of water turbidity using submerged sensors can be problematic in that rapid biofouling requires frequent site visits to remove, clean, calibrate and replace the sensor. We therefore designed an automated system using low-cost commercially-available sensors that pumps water from the stream, samples it for turbidity and purges remaining water, leaving the turbidity sensor dry between measurements, thus greatly reducing the biofouling problem and minimizing operation costs. Our station was able to estimate suspended sediment concentrations between 0 and 6 g/L with a root mean square error (RMSE) around 5 % of the total range, which meets typical research and operational study requirements. The results showed that the monitoring station is capable of monitoring water level and turbidity for long periods without the need of cleaning the turbidity sensor, due to its purge function. We demonstrated that spatially intense measurement of turbidity within catchments and drainage networks can be achieved at a relatively low cost, which allows a better understanding of the main sources of suspended sediments and their spatial and temporal variability.
{"title":"An automated low-cost monitoring station for suspended sediments and water level","authors":"Paulo V.R.M. Silva , Robert B. James , Kathryn L. Russell , Tim D. Fletcher , Maria F.S. Gisi , Oldrich Navratil , Frederic Cherqui , Etienne Cossart","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00594","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00594","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of low-cost sensors, with open-source code, facilitates greater spatial resolution and flexibility of environmental monitoring, thus generating more information and overcoming limitations of traditional commercial sensors. Measurement of water turbidity using submerged sensors can be problematic in that rapid biofouling requires frequent site visits to remove, clean, calibrate and replace the sensor. We therefore designed an automated system using low-cost commercially-available sensors that pumps water from the stream, samples it for turbidity and purges remaining water, leaving the turbidity sensor dry between measurements, thus greatly reducing the biofouling problem and minimizing operation costs. Our station was able to estimate suspended sediment concentrations between 0 and 6 g/L with a root mean square error (RMSE) around 5 % of the total range, which meets typical research and operational study requirements. The results showed that the monitoring station is capable of monitoring water level and turbidity for long periods without the need of cleaning the turbidity sensor, due to its purge function. We demonstrated that spatially intense measurement of turbidity within catchments and drainage networks can be achieved at a relatively low cost, which allows a better understanding of the main sources of suspended sediments and their spatial and temporal variability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article e00594"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142552340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}