HardwareX最新文献

Battery Heater Board for precise temperatures during tests 电池加热器板，在测试过程中精确的温度

IF 2

HardwareX Pub Date : 2025-05-09 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00655

Alexander Blömeke , Rodolfo Borges , Morian Sonnet , Niklas Hörnschemeyer , David Wasylowski , Florian Ringbeck , Dirk Uwe Sauer

引用次数: 0

Leveraging flexible pipette-based tool changes to transform liquid handling systems into dual-function sample preparation and imaging platforms 利用灵活的移液管为基础的工具变化，将液体处理系统转变为双重功能的样品制备和成像平台

IF 2

HardwareX Pub Date : 2025-05-02 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00653

Mohammad Nazeri , Jeffrey Watchorn , Sheldon Mei , Alex Zhang , Christine Allen , Frank Gu

{"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}

引用次数: 0

Open-source compact time-domain hydrogen (1H) NMR System for Field Deployment 开源紧凑的时域氢（1H）核磁共振系统用于现场部署

IF 2

HardwareX Pub Date : 2025-04-29 DOI: 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

{"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}

引用次数: 0

Distribution station inspection robot with modular manipulator 配电站巡检机器人采用模块化机械手

IF 2

HardwareX Pub Date : 2025-04-24 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00652

Qihui Yu, Qinglong Zhang, Guoxin Sun, Ripeng Qin

{"title":"Distribution station inspection robot with modular manipulator","authors":"Qihui Yu, Qinglong Zhang, Guoxin Sun, Ripeng Qin","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00652","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00652","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Substation inspection robots play a vital role in ensuring the safety of power grid systems and improving operational efficiency. However, existing inspection robots often face challenges such as limited flexibility at the mechanical end-effector, slow tool-switching speeds, and an inability to meet diverse operational demands, which restrict their efficiency and adaptability. To overcome these limitations, this paper introduces a substation inspection robot equipped with a modular robotic arm. The robot incorporates a coaxially aligned end-effector design, enabling rapid tool switching across three operational modes via a single-degree-of-freedom drive. This design allows for precise operation of control devices, including push buttons, rotary switches, and draw-out circuit breakers, significantly enhancing both operational flexibility and efficiency. Moreover, the robot adheres to the principles of low cost, open-source accessibility, and modularity, making it particularly suitable for indoor substation inspection tasks and operational validations. Additionally, it provides a versatile hardware platform for the development of algorithms and related research. Experimental results confirm the robot’s operational performance across a variety of scenarios, offering solid technological support for the realization of fully unmanned substation operations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00652"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144072477","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}

引用次数: 0

A portable soil surface roughness instrument for automatic two-dimensional profile roughness measurement in the field 一种用于野外二维剖面粗糙度自动测量的便携式土壤表面粗糙度仪

IF 2

HardwareX Pub Date : 2025-04-19 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00654

Gang Sun , Xiu Wang , Shuai Gao , Jinmei Pan , Qinhuo Liu , Wenjiang Huang

{"title":"A portable soil surface roughness instrument for automatic two-dimensional profile roughness measurement in the field","authors":"Gang Sun , Xiu Wang , Shuai Gao , Jinmei Pan , Qinhuo Liu , Wenjiang Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00654","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00654","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil surface roughness, characterized by the unevenness of the soil surface, is a critical parameter influencing radar backscatter coefficients and microwave emissivity, and is essential for applications in agriculture, soil science, climate modeling, and geology.Current roughness measurement methods, such as manual pin meters and photogrammetry, face limitations in field portability, automation, and cost efficiency.To overcome these challenges, this study introduces anovel, portable instrument utilizingautomatedtwo-dimensional rotary laser scanning to quantify surface roughness.The device’s innovative design integrates a tripod-mounted laser scanner that generates 1 cm-resolution horizontal profiles by calculating surface heights from rotation angles and distances, eliminating manual intervention and enabling rapid field deployment.Compared to traditional contact methods or LiDAR systems, the instrument achieves comparable accuracy (R2 = 0.97 vs. pin meters) while offering significant advantages in portability (<5 kg total weight), automation (full-profile measurement in < 30 s), and affordability (estimated cost <$2,705).Field experiments validated its ability to compute roughness parameters (RMS height, correlation length) critical for microwave remote sensing and soil erosion modeling.By bridging the gap between laboratory-grade precision and field practicality, this instrument provides researchers and agronomists with a cost-effective tool to advance microwave remote sensing, precision agriculture, climate forecasting, and soil conservation efforts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00654"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143882240","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}

引用次数: 0

Design and implementation of an adjustable Micro PDLC Driver for smart buildings 智能建筑可调微型PDLC驱动器的设计与实现

IF 2

HardwareX Pub Date : 2025-04-15 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00648

Kun-Che Ho, Rui-Feng Xu, Cheng-Xun Wu, Jia-Zheng Liao

{"title":"Design and implementation of an adjustable Micro PDLC Driver for smart buildings","authors":"Kun-Che Ho, Rui-Feng Xu, Cheng-Xun Wu, Jia-Zheng Liao","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00648","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00648","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) glass, with its controllable light transmittance enabling shading and energy savings, is widely used in green and smart buildings as a key technology for smart windows and privacy glass. However, traditional PDLC drivers are bulky, consume high energy, and offer limited functionality, restricting their application in multi-panel glass control and space-constrained scenarios. This study proposes a low-power, adjustable mini driver that utilizes Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals and a full-bridge inverter architecture to generate AC square waves. By integrating simple analog and digital circuit designs, digital resistors, and specialized adjustable power modules, remote voltage and frequency modulation control is achieved, enabling efficient and flexible PDLC driver development. Compared to traditional transformer designs, the developed driver not only offers the advantages of miniaturization and high efficiency but also can flexibly adapt to diverse application scenarios such as office privacy glass, smart buildings, and multi-zone linkage control. This research provides an effective solution for the widespread application of PDLC technology and the advancement of smart buildings. Finally, the functionality of the proposed design is verified through hardware circuit implementation and experimental validation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00648"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143834761","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}

引用次数: 0

CyanoStat: An open-source platform for CO2 regulation in microbial incubators optimized for cyanobacterial cultivation CyanoStat：为蓝藻培养优化的微生物培养箱中的CO2调节的开源平台

IF 2

HardwareX Pub Date : 2025-04-12 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00649

Tijn O. Delzenne, Dennis Claessen

{"title":"CyanoStat: An open-source platform for CO2 regulation in microbial incubators optimized for cyanobacterial cultivation","authors":"Tijn O. Delzenne, Dennis Claessen","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00649","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00649","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate and reliable control of CO<sub>2</sub> is essential for the incubation of many microbial organisms. Photosynthetic microbial organisms, such as cyanobacteria, pose a particular challenge, requiring both light and elevated CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations for efficient growth. These characteristics highly limit the availability of affordable and reliable incubation devices, deterring laboratories from undergoing proof-of-concept research into cyanobacteria. To combat this, this study presents CyanoStat: an affordable add-on device for off-the-shelf microbial incubators. By consistently measuring the CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations in an incubator, control is achieved by opening and closing the flow of gas from a pressurized bottle to the incubator. Through a tuned time-based valve control system, the device is able to rival the accuracy and stability of significantly more expensive hardware. Multiple implemented safety features allow for reliable usage over prolonged periods. CyanoStat, as described in this work, was able to achieve precise CO<sub>2</sub> control with fluctuations of 120 ppm, 145 ppm and 260 ppm around a setpoint of 1, 2 and 5%, respectively. This demonstrates that the system is well-suited for both short-term proof-of-concept studies and long-term cultivation applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00649"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143839575","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}

引用次数: 0

Design and evaluation of a voltage-controlled current source for galvanic vestibular stimulation research 用于前庭电刺激研究的电压控制电流源的设计与评价

IF 2

HardwareX Pub Date : 2025-04-10 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00647

Zhi Liu , Shieru Suzuki , Tatsuki Fushimi , Yoichi Ochiai

{"title":"Design and evaluation of a voltage-controlled current source for galvanic vestibular stimulation research","authors":"Zhi Liu , Shieru Suzuki , Tatsuki Fushimi , Yoichi Ochiai","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00647","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00647","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS) is a non-invasive technique that stimulates the vestibular system, which is crucial for maintaining balance and processing spatial orientation. The integration between the visual and vestibular systems, known as Oculo-Vestibular Recoupling (OVR), has shown promising potential in reducing motion sickness and enhancing immersion in Extended Reality (XR). However, a noticeable challenge in GVS research is the lack of open-sourced devices, with most studies relying on self-made prototypes or constant current power supplies. The prototyping of such devices necessitates rigorous testing and calibration, processes that are both resource-intensive and time-consuming. These challenges are particularly pronounced for researchers with limited expertise in electronics, thereby increasing the safety risks and complicating the reproducibility of experimental results. To address these issues, this paper introduces an open-source voltage-controlled current source (VCCS) module specifically designed for GVS. The proposed module provides a safe, stable, and compact solution. This study details the hardware development, performance evaluation, and wireless integration of the module, as well as a simple control methodology. Furthermore, a small-scale user study is conducted to validate the feasibility and user perception of GVS using the proposed module. This comprehensive approach aims to offer an easily accessible solution for researchers engaged in GVS-related studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00647"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143826189","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}

引用次数: 0

Optimizing thermal diffusivity measurements for fluids with accessible 3D printing and Arduino-based temperature control 通过可访问的3D打印和基于arduino的温度控制，优化流体的热扩散率测量

IF 2

HardwareX Pub Date : 2025-04-04 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00646

Miguel Ceja-Morales , Pedro E. García-González , Luis M. Montes-De-Oca , R.A. Medina-Esquivel , Miguel Zambrano-Arjona , Nikte M. Gomez-Ortiz , P. Martínez-Torres

{"title":"Optimizing thermal diffusivity measurements for fluids with accessible 3D printing and Arduino-based temperature control","authors":"Miguel Ceja-Morales , Pedro E. García-González , Luis M. Montes-De-Oca , R.A. Medina-Esquivel , Miguel Zambrano-Arjona , Nikte M. Gomez-Ortiz , P. Martínez-Torres","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00646","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00646","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study introduces an instrument to measure thermal diffusivity in fluids, called a Thermal Wave Resonator Cavity, constructed via additive manufacturing (3D printing) and significantly improved by integrating a temperature control system developed with an Arduino microcontroller. The device was assessed through measurement of the thermal diffusivity of distilled water both with and without temperature control. The results demonstrate that the temperature-controlled system yields significantly more reliable and reproducible thermal diffusivity measurements compared to the uncontrolled system. Furthermore, measurements of water’s thermal diffusivity at various temperatures corroborated values previously reported in the literature. This cost-effective and innovative solution leverages accessible technology to enhance the accuracy of thermal measurements, thereby democratizing access to traditionally expensive, high-quality scientific instruments. This approach has the potential to broaden research capabilities across various scientific disciplines by melding affordability with precision.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00646"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143807959","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}

引用次数: 0

3D-printed pulsator to enhance mass transfer in electrochemical reactors 3d打印脉冲器增强电化学反应器中的传质

IF 2

HardwareX Pub Date : 2025-03-27 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00645

Kavin Teenakul, Luis Fernando Arenas, Jonas Hereijgers

{"title":"3D-printed pulsator to enhance mass transfer in electrochemical reactors","authors":"Kavin Teenakul, Luis Fernando Arenas, Jonas Hereijgers","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00645","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00645","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents a cost-effective diaphragm pulsator, constructed for approximately €500, designed to enhance mass transport in laboratory electrochemical reactors. The pulsator allows accurate control of pulsation frequency between 1 Hz and 6 Hz and displacement volume, with simple programmability using an Arduino microcontroller. The design features multiple chambers that effectively isolate corrosive liquids from the mechanical components, ensuring durability and extended operational life. The pulsator’s 3D-printed components can be customized with different materials to suit various applications. Engineered to generate a pulsating flow profile that closely resembles a sinusoidal wave, video tracking analysis confirmed the sinusoidal nature of the flow, demonstrating consistent flow profile generation with adjustable frequency and amplitude. The maximum volume displacement achieved was 11.9 mL, which was reduced to 2.0 mL when the electrochemical cell was connected. Limiting current experiments with a ferri/ferrocyanide electrolyte showed that the mass transport coefficient of a typical cell increased from 2.3 × 10<sup>−3</sup> cm/s under constant flow to 4.5 × 10<sup>−3</sup> cm/s under pulsating conditions. These findings validate that the adjustable, Arduino-programmable sinusoidal pulsation generated by the diaphragm pulsator offers a practical and customizable method for enhancing mass transport in small-scale electrochemical reactors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00645"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143746590","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}

引用次数: 0