Open-Source Lab How to Build Your Own Hardware and Reduce Research Costs Joshua M. Pearce Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA Table of Contents Cover image Title page Copyright Foreword Preface 1.1 Standard Disclaimer Acknowledgments Disclaimer Chapter 1. Introduction to Open-Source Hardware for Science Abstract 1.1 Introduction 1.2 What is Open Source? 1.3 Free and Open-Source Hardware References Chapter 2. The Benefits of Sharing—Nice Guys and Girls do Finish First Abstract 2.1 Advantages of Aggressive Sharing for the Academic 2.2 Overcoming Challenges of Open-Source Research 2.3 Why Should You Share and Be Nice Anyway—The Theory 2.4 Industrial Strength Sharing 2.5 The Fate of Hardware Vendors: Innovate or Die 2.6 Concluding Thoughts References Chapter 3. Open Licensing—Advanced Sharing Abstract 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Learning from Software: Software Rights 3.3 OSHW Licenses 3.4 Open Source Hardware Association Definition 3.5 Best Practices and Etiquette for Using OSHW 3.6 Continued IP Challenges 3.7 Summary and Conclusions References Chapter 4. Open-Source Microcontrollers for Science: How to Use, Design Automated Equipment With and Troubleshoot Abstract 4.1 Introduction 4.2 The Open-Source Microcontroller Family 4.3 Getting Started with an Arduino Microcontroller 4.4 Working with the Arduino 4.5 Example: The “Polar Bear” Open-Source Environmental Chamber 4.6 Concluding Thoughts and Additional Reading References Chapter 5. RepRap for Science—How to Use, Design, and Troubleshoot the Self-Replicating 3-D Printer Abstract 5.1 Introduction to REPRAPS 5.2 Building a REPRAP 5.3 Software 5.4 Printing for the First Time References Chapter 6. Digital Designs and Scientific Hardware Abstract 6.1 OpenSCAD, RepRap and Arduino Microcontrollers 6.2 Physics: Open-Source Optics 6.3 Engineering: Open-Source Laser Welder, Radiation Detection, and Oscilloscopes 6.4 Environmental Science: Open-Source Colorimeters and pH Meters 6.5 Biology: OpenPCR, Open-Source Centrifuges and More 6.6 Chemistry: Spectrometers and Other Chemical Research Tools References Chapter 7. The Future of Open-Source Hardware and Science Abstract 7.1 Introduction to the Future 7.2 The Impact on the Scientific Brain Drain/Gain 7.3 Acceleration of Technological Evolution 7.4 Open-Source Research in the Future