Open hardware: From DIY trend to global transformation in access to laboratory equipment

Abstract

Open hardware solutions are increasingly being chosen by researchers as a strategy to improve access to technology for cutting-edge biology research. The use of DIY technology is already widespread, particularly in countries with limited access to science funding, and is catalyzing the development of open-source technologies. Beyond financial accessibility, open hardware can be transformational for the access of laboratories to equipment by reducing dependence on import logistics and enabling direct knowledge transfer. Central drivers to the adoption of appropriate open-source technologies in biology laboratories around the world are open sharing, digital fabrication, local production, the use of standard parts, and detailed documentation. This Essay examines the global spread of open hardware and discusses which kinds of open-source technologies are the most beneficial in scientific environments with economic and infrastructural constraints.

Exploring pathways toward open‐hardware ecosystems to safeguard genetic resources for biomedical research communities using aquatic model species

“…More importantly, the core aspect of open fabrication technologies is internet‐based sharing of digital files to replicate geometric or 3‐D configurations with standardized precision. This distinguishes open hardware from “do‐it‐yourself,” handcrafted, or improvised solutions in which ideas are loosely followed (Wenzel, 2023). Overall, open technologies are based on rapid and continued sharing of advances among communities based on granting of freedoms with a range of protections and licensing agreements that can include existing provisions such as trademarks and patents.…”

“…Open-source software is the earliest success within this family, with familiar names such as the Linux operating system, Android operation system, and Arduino system. handcrafted, or improvised solutions in which ideas are loosely followed (Wenzel, 2023). Overall, open technologies are based on rapid and continued sharing of advances among communities based on granting of freedoms with a range of protections and licensing agreements that can include existing provisions such as trademarks and patents.…”

Integration of pH control into Chi.Bio reactors and demonstration with small-scale enzymatic poly(ethylene terephthalate) hydrolysis

“…As a key component of these efforts, both commercial and open-source equipment are being developed for microbial cultivation and execution of biochemical reactions in a miniaturized context with online monitoring, with the intent to greatly accelerate the rate of data generation at lower cost, in reduced physical space, and with lower materials consumption (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Moreover, to make biological research more accessible, there is a substantial drive for open-source hardware and software in biological research that often follows a do-it-yourself (DIY) model, enabled by the assembly of lowcost, off-the-shelf components (7)(8)(9). Of particular interest for biotechnological applications, commercial bioreactors with built-in control systems are usually quite costly, restricting their purchase primarily to companies and well-funded research laboratories.…”

SPIRO – the automated Petri plate imaging platform designed by biologists, for biologists

“…Automating labor-and time-intensive procedures is crucial to improving research quality and throughput, and open science hardware and software (tools which are freely available and modifiable) can help further this goal (Maia Chagas, 2018;Pearce, 2016Pearce, , 2020. Moreover, opensource hardware improves the transparency and reproducibility of science while delivering radical cost savings (Pearce, 2020), enabling less well-funded laboratories (including those in low-income countries) to afford highquality equipment (Maia Chagas, 2018;Wenzel, 2023).…”