scholarly journals Automated Low Investment Cost Evaporometers (ALICEs)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 4986
Author(s):  
Adam Tejkl ◽  
Petr Kavka

Evaporation is an important part of the hydrological cycle. This paper discusses the materials and methods we used to develop an evaporometer, which measures evaporation from the water surface, like a drop in water level. The main problem is that there are relatively small differences in the levels measured directly in the field. During the research, we tested conductive filament and stainless steel as measuring electrode materials. We used 3D printing in combination with low-cost open-source electronics and a hand-etched circuit board to make a device which measures the free water surface level. A 3D printed jig is used when assembling the device, and this ensures that the contact electrodes are set precisely. Another 3D printed jig is used to create the etched circuit board, which holds all the electronic devices. The device uses the low-cost open-source Arduino Uno electronics microcontroller board. Our results show that high-precision measurements can be gathered with the use of open-source electronics in 3D printed housing. The device is also durable and easy to maintain.

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 572
Author(s):  
Mads Jochumsen ◽  
Taha Al Muhammadee Janjua ◽  
Juan Carlos Arceo ◽  
Jimmy Lauber ◽  
Emilie Simoneau Buessinger ◽  
...  

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have been proven to be useful for stroke rehabilitation, but there are a number of factors that impede the use of this technology in rehabilitation clinics and in home-use, the major factors including the usability and costs of the BCI system. The aims of this study were to develop a cheap 3D-printed wrist exoskeleton that can be controlled by a cheap open source BCI (OpenViBE), and to determine if training with such a setup could induce neural plasticity. Eleven healthy volunteers imagined wrist extensions, which were detected from single-trial electroencephalography (EEG), and in response to this, the wrist exoskeleton replicated the intended movement. Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited using transcranial magnetic stimulation were measured before, immediately after, and 30 min after BCI training with the exoskeleton. The BCI system had a true positive rate of 86 ± 12% with 1.20 ± 0.57 false detections per minute. Compared to the measurement before the BCI training, the MEPs increased by 35 ± 60% immediately after and 67 ± 60% 30 min after the BCI training. There was no association between the BCI performance and the induction of plasticity. In conclusion, it is possible to detect imaginary movements using an open-source BCI setup and control a cheap 3D-printed exoskeleton that when combined with the BCI can induce neural plasticity. These findings may promote the availability of BCI technology for rehabilitation clinics and home-use. However, the usability must be improved, and further tests are needed with stroke patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 412-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia R. Cutler ◽  
Anita L. Hamilton ◽  
Emma Hough ◽  
Cheyenne M. Baines ◽  
Ross A. Clark

Author(s):  
A. Elibiary ◽  
W. Oakey ◽  
S. Jun ◽  
B. Sanz-Izquierdo ◽  
D. Bird ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Wincott ◽  
Andrew Jefferson ◽  
Ian M. Dobbie ◽  
Martin J. Booth ◽  
Ilan Davis ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTCommercial fluorescence microscope stands and fully automated XYZt fluorescence imaging systems are generally beyond the limited budgets available for teaching and outreach. We have addressed this problem by developing “Microscopi”, an accessible, affordable, DIY automated imaging system that is built from 3D printed and commodity off-the-shelf hardware, including electro-mechanical, computer and optical components. Our design features automated sample navigation and image capture with a simple web-based graphical user interface, accessible with a tablet or other mobile device. The light path can easily be switched between different imaging modalities. The open source Python-based control software allows the hardware to be driven as an integrated imaging system. Furthermore, the microscope is fully customisable, which also enhances its value as a learning tool. Here, we describe the basic design and demonstrate imaging performance for a range of easily sourced specimens.HighlightsPortable, low cost, self-build from 3D printed and commodity componentsMultimodal imaging: bright field, dark field, pseudo-phase and fluorescenceAutomated XYZt imaging from a tablet or smartphone via a simple GUIWide ranging applications in teaching, outreach and fieldworkOpen source hardware and software design, allowing user modification


Designs ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross J. Friel ◽  
Maria Gerling-Gerdin ◽  
Emil Nilsson ◽  
Björn P. Andreasson

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine if 3D printed lenses with wavelength specific anti-reflective (AR) surface structures would improve beam intensity and thus radar efficiency for a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)-based 60 GHz radar. This would have potential for improved low-cost radar lenses for the consumer product market. Methods: A hyperbolic lens was designed in 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and was then modified with a wavelength specified AR structure. Electromagnetic computer simulation was performed on both the ‘smooth’ and ‘AR structure’ lenses and compared to actual 60 GHz radar measurements of 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA) lenses. Results: The simulation results showed an increase of 10% in signal intensity of the AR structure lens over the smooth lens. Actual measurement showed an 8% increase in signal of the AR structure lens over the smooth lens. Conclusions: Low cost and readily available Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printing has been shown to be capable of printing an AR structure coated hyperbolic lens for millimeter wavelength radar applications. These 3D Printed AR structure lenses are effective in improving radar measurements over non-AR structure lenses.


Author(s):  
Joonyoung Kim ◽  
Taewoong Kang ◽  
Dongwoon Song ◽  
Seung-Joon Yi
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Efromson ◽  
Shuai Li ◽  
Michael D. Lynch

AbstractAutosampling from bioreactors reduces error, increases reproducibility and offers improved aseptic handling when compared to manual sampling. Additionally, autosampling greatly decreases the hands-on time required for a bioreactor experiment and enables sampling 24 hrs a day. We have designed, built and tested a low cost, open source, automated bioreactor sampling system, the BioSamplr. The BioSamplr can take up to ten samples from a bioreactor at a desired sample interval and cools them to a desired temperature. The device, assembled from low cost and 3D printed components, is controlled wirelessly by a Raspberry Pi, and records all sampling data to a log file. The cost and accessibility of the BioSamplr make it useful for laboratories without access to more expensive and complex autosampling systems.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiang Xu ◽  
Zhuowei Du ◽  
Paul Hsi Liu ◽  
Yi Kou ◽  
Lin Chen

We introduce OPAM, an Open source, low-cost (under $150), 3D-Printed, stepper motor driven, Arduino based, single cell Micromanipulator (OPAM). Modification of a commercial stepper motor led to dramatically increased stability and maneuverability of the motor, based on which the micromanipulator was designed. All components of this micromanipulator can be 3D printed using an entry-level 3D printer and assembled with ease. With this single cell manipulator, successful targeted single cell capture and transfer was confirmed under the microscope, which showed great promise for single cell related experiments.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alperen Guver ◽  
Nafetalai Fifita ◽  
Peker Milas ◽  
Michael Straker ◽  
Michael Guy ◽  
...  

AbstractA low-cost Scanning Electrochemical Microscope (SECM) was built with a 0.6 pA current measurement capability potentiostat and submicron resolution motorized stage, using open source software and hardware tools. The high performance potentiostat with a Python graphical user interface was built based on an open source project. Arduino boards, stepper motors, a manual XY micromanipulator stage, 3D printed couplers and gears were used in building the motorized stage. An open source motor control software was used for moving the motorized stage with high precision. An inverted microscope was utilized for viewing a standard microelectrode while scanning. The setup was tested in the formation of a map of electrochemical signals from an array of pores on a parafilm membrane. As the setup will be used in future biosensing experiments, DNA hybridization detection experiments were also performed with the setup.


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