Pub Date : 2025-06-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00659
Giulio Giovannetti , Nicola De Zanche
This work describes an open-source design for decoupled dual-loop radio frequency (RF) probes which are common tools in the RF lab. In magnetic resonance (MR) applications dual-loop probes are used to measure the tuning frequency and quality factor of RF coils and associated electronics. Traditional dual-loop probes, however, are delicate and not readily available commercially because they are made using semi-rigid or hand-formable coaxial cable, and they require skill and experience to build well. Our dual-loop probe design is tough, reliable, and can be mass-produced inexpensively, thus allowing new and established labs to obtain these probes with minimal effort. We used two overlapped shielded loops fabricated with multilayer printed circuit board technology. Design files are published under an open-hardware license. The printed probe achieves the required levels of durability and high isolation (better than 50 dB up to 500 MHz) which are equivalent to those achieved with traditional probes, and much more resistant to degradation.
{"title":"Printed, dual-loop magnetic field sniffer probe for bench measurements on radio frequency MRI coils","authors":"Giulio Giovannetti , Nicola De Zanche","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00659","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00659","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work describes an open-source design for decoupled dual-loop radio frequency (RF) probes which are common tools in the RF lab. In magnetic resonance (MR) applications dual-loop probes are used to measure the tuning frequency and quality factor of RF coils and associated electronics. Traditional dual-loop probes, however, are delicate and not readily available commercially because they are made using semi-rigid or hand-formable coaxial cable, and they require skill and experience to build well. Our dual-loop probe design is tough, reliable, and can be mass-produced inexpensively, thus allowing new and established labs to obtain these probes with minimal effort. We used two overlapped shielded loops fabricated with multilayer printed circuit board technology. Design files are published under an open-hardware license. The printed probe achieves the required levels of durability and high isolation (better than 50 dB up to 500 MHz) which are equivalent to those achieved with traditional probes, and much more resistant to degradation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00659"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144196455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00661
Ebbe Poulsen , Søren Rysgaard , Peter Melvad , Claus Melvad
Oceanographers studying climate change, marine ecosystems, and water mass distribution rely heavily on seawater measurements from various depths and locations. A critical tool for obtaining these measurements is the rosette water sampler, which collects and isolates seawater at multiple specified depths for later analysis. However, most commercially available samplers are designed for large sample volumes (>500 mL), requiring heavy-duty lifting equipment typically found only on larger research vessels.
This creates unnecessary costs and operational challenges, especially in coastal areas, when large sample volumes are not needed. In response, we present a small, lightweight, and rugged rosette water sampler specifically developed for smaller sample volumes and efficient deployment from small boats without the need for lifting equipment. Weighing 16 kg, the sampler can collect 13 samples of 20 mL each in a single profiling cast, with a maximum depth of 250 m. The instrument has been successfully tested in Northeast Greenland and along the East Greenland coast during three field campaigns between 2021 and 2023. Further development could lead to additional weight reductions and improved ease of use, enhancing its practicality for broader applications.
{"title":"Rugged, low-cost, and lightweight rosette water sampler for ocean profiling and mooring deployment","authors":"Ebbe Poulsen , Søren Rysgaard , Peter Melvad , Claus Melvad","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00661","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00661","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Oceanographers studying climate change, marine ecosystems, and water mass distribution rely heavily on seawater measurements from various depths and locations. A critical tool for obtaining these measurements is the rosette water sampler, which collects and isolates seawater at multiple specified depths for later analysis. However, most commercially available samplers are designed for large sample volumes (>500 mL), requiring heavy-duty lifting equipment typically found only on larger research vessels.</div><div>This creates unnecessary costs and operational challenges, especially in coastal areas, when large sample volumes are not needed. In response, we present a small, lightweight, and rugged rosette water sampler specifically developed for smaller sample volumes and efficient deployment from small boats without the need for lifting equipment. Weighing 16 kg, the sampler can collect 13 samples of 20 mL each in a single profiling cast, with a maximum depth of 250 m. The instrument has been successfully tested in Northeast Greenland and along the East Greenland coast during three field campaigns between 2021 and 2023. Further development could lead to additional weight reductions and improved ease of use, enhancing its practicality for broader applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00661"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144205445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-31DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00656
Elizabeth Ospina-Rojas , Juan Botero-Valencia , Daniel Betancur-Vasquez , Joshua M. Pearce
Ventilation in an enclosed space can significantly influence people’s comfort, health, and safety. Poor ventilation can generate temperatures dangerous to health or obstruct the dispersion of environmental pollutants, such as toxic gases or pollution. Measuring indoor environmental conditions can thus help improve the quality of the environment and protect people’s health and comfort. This work proposes the design of an open-source anemometer to measure wind speed and direction in three dimensions. The purpose of this anemometer is to monitor wind conditions in enclosed spaces and environmental conditions related to air quality and temperature. The prototype uses an array of six unidirectional flow sensors, each pointing towards a different axis. Carbon dioxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC), temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas presence sensors are integrated to monitor indoor environmental conditions accurately. Measuring the vertical component of the wind provides more detailed information on wind conditions. Test results show that the device can detect variations in wind speed with a deviation of 0.25 m/s, detect changes in horizontal wind direction with a deviation of 3.7°, and detect vertical wind direction variations with a deviation of 3.02°. These measurements demonstrate that the proposed device is capable of detecting wind changes in three dimensions, validating its potential for detailed indoor airflow monitoring.
{"title":"Open-source three-dimensional IoT anemometer for indoor air quality monitoring","authors":"Elizabeth Ospina-Rojas , Juan Botero-Valencia , Daniel Betancur-Vasquez , Joshua M. Pearce","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00656","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00656","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ventilation in an enclosed space can significantly influence people’s comfort, health, and safety. Poor ventilation can generate temperatures dangerous to health or obstruct the dispersion of environmental pollutants, such as toxic gases or pollution. Measuring indoor environmental conditions can thus help improve the quality of the environment and protect people’s health and comfort. This work proposes the design of an open-source anemometer to measure wind speed and direction in three dimensions. The purpose of this anemometer is to monitor wind conditions in enclosed spaces and environmental conditions related to air quality and temperature. The prototype uses an array of six unidirectional flow sensors, each pointing towards a different axis. Carbon dioxide (CO<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></math></span>), volatile organic compounds (VOC), temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas presence sensors are integrated to monitor indoor environmental conditions accurately. Measuring the vertical component of the wind provides more detailed information on wind conditions. Test results show that the device can detect variations in wind speed with a deviation of 0.25 m/s, detect changes in horizontal wind direction with a deviation of 3.7°, and detect vertical wind direction variations with a deviation of 3.02°. These measurements demonstrate that the proposed device is capable of detecting wind changes in three dimensions, validating its potential for detailed indoor airflow monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article e00656"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144254207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
eLogUp! is a low-cost, modular, and open-source data logger designed to support both research and operational environmental monitoring applications requiring accurate data recording and storage, efficient power management, and reliable data transmission. It serves as a key component for the implementation of effective Low-Cost Network Sensor (LCNS) systems, enhancing environmental observation capabilities. eLogUp! consists of a custom-designed PCB integrated with an Arduino® MKR microcontroller, enabling data acquisition from a wide range of analog and digital sensors, such as temperature, water level, and humidity probes, with user-defined sampling intervals. A distinctive feature of eLogUp! is its auto-wake-up function, which powers down the system between measurements to optimize energy consumption. It also integrates several electronic components (e.g. RTC) to minimize the overall footprint of the system. The system can thus operate on a small LiPo battery and solar panel. Data transmission can be carried out using different protocols (e.g., WiFi, GSM, or LoRaWAN). Developed as an alternative to commercial environmental data loggers, which are often expensive, overly specialized, proprietary, or limited to a narrow set of parameters, eLogUp! offers an affordable, adaptable, and open-source solution. This makes it a versatile tool for environmental researchers, field practitioners, and citizen science initiatives, providing a scalable and accessible approach to long-term environmental data collection.
{"title":"eLogUp! A precise, affordable and open-source IoT data logger to scale-up long-term environmental monitoring","authors":"Franck Perret , Ilane Cherif , Frédéric Cherqui , Nicolas Walcker , Adrien Barra , Bastien Bourjaillat , Laëtitia Bacot , Oldrich Navratil","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00660","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00660","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>eLogUp! is a low-cost, modular, and open-source data logger designed to support both research and operational environmental monitoring applications requiring accurate data recording and storage, efficient power management, and reliable data transmission. It serves as a key component for the implementation of effective Low-Cost Network Sensor (LCNS) systems, enhancing environmental observation capabilities. eLogUp! consists of a custom-designed PCB integrated with an Arduino® MKR microcontroller, enabling data acquisition from a wide range of analog and digital sensors, such as temperature, water level, and humidity probes, with user-defined sampling intervals. A distinctive feature of eLogUp! is its auto-wake-up function, which powers down the system between measurements to optimize energy consumption. It also integrates several electronic components (e.g. RTC) to minimize the overall footprint of the system. The system can thus operate on a small LiPo battery and solar panel. Data transmission can be carried out using different protocols (e.g., WiFi, GSM, or LoRaWAN). Developed as an alternative to commercial environmental data loggers, which are often expensive, overly specialized, proprietary, or limited to a narrow set of parameters, eLogUp! offers an affordable, adaptable, and open-source solution. This makes it a versatile tool for environmental researchers, field practitioners, and citizen science initiatives, providing a scalable and accessible approach to long-term environmental data collection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article e00660"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144471398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-22DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00658
Andres Felipe Cotrino Herrera , Jesús Alfonso López Sotelo , Juan Carlos Blandón Andrade , Alonso Toro Lazo
The document presents a low-cost, open-source device designed to facilitate the learning of technologies like artificial intelligence in embedded systems through vibration analysis. It also aims to enhance students’ skills by introducing industrial challenges into the classroom via a scaled-down prototype. This study analyzes the vibrations generated by bearings to classify, using Artificial Intelligence (AI), whether they are defective. The device integrates electronic, mechanical, and software components, leveraging online technologies and platforms like Arduino to support hands-on learning. The document provides detailed instructions on the components used, circuit connections, step-by-step construction, and implementation, allowing replication of the prototype. This device fosters the development of STEM skills, promotes the application of AI and TinyML in real-world contexts, and enriches educational programs by encouraging interdisciplinary learning.
{"title":"Low-cost prototype for bearing failure detection using Tiny ML through vibration analysis","authors":"Andres Felipe Cotrino Herrera , Jesús Alfonso López Sotelo , Juan Carlos Blandón Andrade , Alonso Toro Lazo","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00658","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00658","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The document presents a low-cost, open-source device designed to facilitate the learning of technologies like artificial intelligence in embedded systems through vibration analysis. It also aims to enhance students’ skills by introducing industrial challenges into the classroom via a scaled-down prototype. This study analyzes the vibrations generated by bearings to classify, using Artificial Intelligence (AI), whether they are defective. The device integrates electronic, mechanical, and software components, leveraging online technologies and platforms like Arduino to support hands-on learning. The document provides detailed instructions on the components used, circuit connections, step-by-step construction, and implementation, allowing replication of the prototype. This device fosters the development of STEM skills, promotes the application of AI and TinyML in real-world contexts, and enriches educational programs by encouraging interdisciplinary learning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00658"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144135016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-22DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00657
Simón F. Nogueira , Alejandro J. Vitale , Sibila A. Genchi , Agustina Roth , Steven Martínez Vargas , Agustin Siben , Lucas Nuciari , Gerardo M.E. Perillo
An adequate knowledge of water (and air) environment parameters in ocean and coastal areas becomes of crucial importance for management practices. The behavior of oceans and coasts covers a large range of spatial and time scales that leads to the importance of high-frequency and widespread monitoring by using cost-effective platforms. This article proposes the design, development and deployment of a low-cost, small and compact buoy platform for coastal monitoring, which was built almost entirely on 3D printing technology in a modular way. The buoy called EMAC buoy -V3.0- (EMAC: Estación de Monitoreo Ambiental Costero) was significantly improved in the last few years based on cost-effective optimization and physical constraints inherent to coastal waters, providing the advantages of simplicity and flexibility. This study considered oceanographic and meteorological measurements of a buoy moored in the San Matías Gulf on the northern Patagonian Continental Shelf.
充分了解海洋和沿海地区的水（和空气）环境参数对管理实践至关重要。海洋和海岸的行为涵盖了大范围的空间和时间尺度，因此必须使用具有成本效益的平台进行高频和广泛的监测。本文提出了一种低成本、小型、紧凑型的海岸监测浮标平台的设计、开发和部署，该平台几乎完全采用3D打印技术模块化构建。该浮标名为EMAC浮标- v3.0 - (EMAC: Estación de Monitoreo Ambiental Costero)，在过去几年中，基于成本效益优化和沿海水域固有的物理限制，该浮标得到了显著改进，具有简单灵活的优点。这项研究考虑了在巴塔哥尼亚北部大陆架圣Matías湾停泊的浮标的海洋学和气象测量。
{"title":"Design and development of a cost-effective buoy using 3D printing for coastal monitoring","authors":"Simón F. Nogueira , Alejandro J. Vitale , Sibila A. Genchi , Agustina Roth , Steven Martínez Vargas , Agustin Siben , Lucas Nuciari , Gerardo M.E. Perillo","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00657","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00657","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An adequate knowledge of water (and air) environment parameters in ocean and coastal areas becomes of crucial importance for management practices. The behavior of oceans and coasts covers a large range of spatial and time scales that leads to the importance of high-frequency and widespread monitoring by using cost-effective platforms. This article proposes the design, development and deployment of a low-cost, small and compact buoy platform for coastal monitoring, which was built almost entirely on 3D printing technology in a modular way. The buoy called EMAC buoy -V3.0- (EMAC: Estación de Monitoreo Ambiental Costero) was significantly improved in the last few years based on cost-effective optimization and physical constraints inherent to coastal waters, providing the advantages of simplicity and flexibility. This study considered oceanographic and meteorological measurements of a buoy moored in the San Matías Gulf on the northern Patagonian Continental Shelf.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00657"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144167197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The Battery Heater Board is an open-source hardware designed for precise temperature control during battery testing. This device integrates the heater, driver, and temperature sensors on a single metal core printed circuit board, allowing for accurate and compact temperature control. The board uses a synchronous buck converter to drive a custom layout heating trace integrated into the metal core printed circuit board. The included script for meandering a trace used as a heating foil helps to adapt to other applications or formats. In addition, the metal core printed circuit board provides both precise temperature control and a smooth surface, which is critical for accurate battery testing. This paper describes the heater’s design, components, and assembly and presents validation results demonstrating the device’s effectiveness in setting stable temperatures. The Battery Heater Board is an open-access, cost-effective solution for battery researchers and engineers requiring reproducible and precise temperature conditions.
{"title":"Battery Heater Board for precise temperatures during tests","authors":"Alexander Blömeke , Rodolfo Borges , Morian Sonnet , Niklas Hörnschemeyer , David Wasylowski , Florian Ringbeck , Dirk Uwe Sauer","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00655","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00655","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Battery Heater Board is an open-source hardware designed for precise temperature control during battery testing. This device integrates the heater, driver, and temperature sensors on a single metal core printed circuit board, allowing for accurate and compact temperature control. The board uses a synchronous buck converter to drive a custom layout heating trace integrated into the metal core printed circuit board. The included script for meandering a trace used as a heating foil helps to adapt to other applications or formats. In addition, the metal core printed circuit board provides both precise temperature control and a smooth surface, which is critical for accurate battery testing. This paper describes the heater’s design, components, and assembly and presents validation results demonstrating the device’s effectiveness in setting stable temperatures. The Battery Heater Board is an open-access, cost-effective solution for battery researchers and engineers requiring reproducible and precise temperature conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00655"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143936059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-02DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00650
Oliver Maximilian Zobel , Johannes Maierhofer , Andreas Köstler , Daniel J. Rixen
OASIS-UROS continues the previously published Open Acquisition System for IEPE Sensors (OASIS). While still building on the ESP32 microcontroller, this version improves the overall performance by switching to an SD card caching system and upgrading the analog-digital converter to an AD7606C-18, which has a higher resolution, provides eight channels, oversampling, and software-adjustable voltage ranges. Also improved is the IEPE front-end and power supply, as well as the firmware of the acquisition system, which can now achieve a sample rate of up to 36 kHz while sampling all eight channels. This paper documents the hardware and software of OASIS-UROS and provides all materials required to reproduce the open acquisition system. Lastly, the system was validated against commercial hardware and software in an experimental modal analysis context. This showed that the system performs close to the commercial one in some aspects with respect to the utilized test case. While OASIS-UROS cannot match the full performance of the commercial system, the developed system can be a viable alternative for students, people in academia, or smaller companies that have a constrained budget or require complete insight as well as adaptability of the hardware and software.
{"title":"OASIS-UROS: Open acquisition system for IEPE sensors - upgraded, refined, and overhauled software","authors":"Oliver Maximilian Zobel , Johannes Maierhofer , Andreas Köstler , Daniel J. Rixen","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00650","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00650","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>OASIS-UROS</em> continues the previously published <em>Open Acquisition System for IEPE Sensors (OASIS)</em>. While still building on the <em>ESP32</em> microcontroller, this version improves the overall performance by switching to an SD card caching system and upgrading the analog-digital converter to an <em>AD7606C-18</em>, which has a higher resolution, provides eight channels, oversampling, and software-adjustable voltage ranges. Also improved is the IEPE front-end and power supply, as well as the firmware of the acquisition system, which can now achieve a sample rate of up to 36<!--> <!-->kHz while sampling all eight channels. This paper documents the hardware and software of <em>OASIS-UROS</em> and provides all materials required to reproduce the open acquisition system. Lastly, the system was validated against commercial hardware and software in an experimental modal analysis context. This showed that the system performs close to the commercial one in some aspects with respect to the utilized test case. While <em>OASIS-UROS</em> cannot match the full performance of the commercial system, the developed system can be a viable alternative for students, people in academia, or smaller companies that have a constrained budget or require complete insight as well as adaptability of the hardware and software.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article e00650"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144595392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-02DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00653
Mohammad Nazeri , Jeffrey Watchorn , Sheldon Mei , Alex Zhang , Christine Allen , Frank Gu
In soft materials synthesis, rapid self-assembly and poor mechanical strength often limit the applicability of experimental characterization techniques. This limitation arises because transferring these materials to a suitable imaging platform is either too slow to capture the process of interest or impossible to safely transfer from the synthesis vessel to the characterization. In addition, the variable nature of these materials requires many experiments to understand the underlying structure–property relationships that govern these materials. In this work we present a new hardware platform that integrates simultaneous pipetting and in-situ imaging using the Opentron OT-2 liquid handling robot. A 3D printed adapter features two cylindrical openings, one containing the pipette tip to gantry adapter, and the other a USB camera. When the gantry picks up the pipette tip, the entire apparatus is lifted, allowing the camera to be used. This system enables real-time monitoring and characterization of dynamic processes, such as hydrogel crosslinking, without manual intervention. We used this system to characterize ionically crosslinked hydrogels, and monitored their properties over time, in a high-throughput and combinatorial manner. Although hydrogels were used as a proof-of-concept, this platform has broader applications in materials research, including crystallization dynamics, polymerization kinetics, and drug delivery system development.
{"title":"Leveraging flexible pipette-based tool changes to transform liquid handling systems into dual-function sample preparation and imaging platforms","authors":"Mohammad Nazeri , Jeffrey Watchorn , Sheldon Mei , Alex Zhang , Christine Allen , Frank Gu","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00653","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00653","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In soft materials synthesis, rapid self-assembly and poor mechanical strength often limit the applicability of experimental characterization techniques. This limitation arises because transferring these materials to a suitable imaging platform is either too slow to capture the process of interest or impossible to safely transfer from the synthesis vessel to the characterization. In addition, the variable nature of these materials requires many experiments to understand the underlying structure–property relationships that govern these materials. In this work we present a new hardware platform that integrates simultaneous pipetting and in-situ imaging using the Opentron OT-2 liquid handling robot. A 3D printed adapter features two cylindrical openings, one containing the pipette tip to gantry adapter, and the other a USB camera. When the gantry picks up the pipette tip, the entire apparatus is lifted, allowing the camera to be used. This system enables real-time monitoring and characterization of dynamic processes, such as hydrogel crosslinking, without manual intervention. We used this system to characterize ionically crosslinked hydrogels, and monitored their properties over time, in a high-throughput and combinatorial manner. Although hydrogels were used as a proof-of-concept, this platform has broader applications in materials research, including crystallization dynamics, polymerization kinetics, and drug delivery system development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00653"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143922571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-29DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00651
Winford Janvrin , Jacob Martin , Daniel Hancock , Angelo Varillas , Austin R.J. Downey , Perry J. Pellechia , Joud Satme , Sang Hee Won
This paper presents a compact, low-cost time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) system based on a 0.5 T permanent magnet designed for in-situ H measurements. Unlike conventional high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers, this system emphasizes relaxation times rather than chemical shifts, enabling material property analysis without large magnets or complex spectral processing. The hardware employs an off-the-shelf data acquisition and control system along with a custom PCB for signal conditioning, ensuring straightforward deployment and reduced costs. The system’s core sequence is a Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill pulse train, chosen for efficient relaxation measurements under varying magnetic susceptibilities. By focusing on relaxation measurements, this approach bypasses complexities of high-resolution spectroscopy, enhances signal-to-noise in low-field conditions, and enables robust characterization across challenging environmental settings. We validate the system using aqueous Copper(II) sulfate solutions, correlating T values with copper concentrations to simulate environmental heavy metal contamination monitoring. Prior work has demonstrated versatility in fuel property analysis and environmental sensing, confirming broad applicability for this portable platform. While packaging and integration with ancillary equipment (e.g., flow-through systems) are not covered, the platform serves as a versatile foundation for specialized deployments. Its open-source design and affordability aim to democratize NMR technology and extending its utility beyond conventional laboratory environments. This accessible configuration fosters widespread educational and professional use.
{"title":"Open-source compact time-domain hydrogen (1H) NMR System for Field Deployment","authors":"Winford Janvrin , Jacob Martin , Daniel Hancock , Angelo Varillas , Austin R.J. Downey , Perry J. Pellechia , Joud Satme , Sang Hee Won","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00651","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00651","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents a compact, low-cost time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) system based on a 0.5 T permanent magnet designed for in-situ <span><math><msup><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>1</mn></mrow></msup></math></span>H measurements. Unlike conventional high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers, this system emphasizes relaxation times rather than chemical shifts, enabling material property analysis without large magnets or complex spectral processing. The hardware employs an off-the-shelf data acquisition and control system along with a custom PCB for signal conditioning, ensuring straightforward deployment and reduced costs. The system’s core sequence is a Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill pulse train, chosen for efficient <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>T</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></math></span> relaxation measurements under varying magnetic susceptibilities. By focusing on relaxation measurements, this approach bypasses complexities of high-resolution spectroscopy, enhances signal-to-noise in low-field conditions, and enables robust characterization across challenging environmental settings. We validate the system using aqueous Copper(II) sulfate solutions, correlating T<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></math></span> values with copper concentrations to simulate environmental heavy metal contamination monitoring. Prior work has demonstrated versatility in fuel property analysis and environmental sensing, confirming broad applicability for this portable platform. While packaging and integration with ancillary equipment (e.g., flow-through systems) are not covered, the platform serves as a versatile foundation for specialized deployments. Its open-source design and affordability aim to democratize NMR technology and extending its utility beyond conventional laboratory environments. This accessible configuration fosters widespread educational and professional use.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00651"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143934929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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