HardwareXPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-20DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00733
Pedro Fornaro , Jacopo Ramello , Facundo Daniel Mosquera , Giuseppe Giorgi , John Vincent Ringwood
{"title":"Tiny-T: A small-scale demonstration tank for real-time wave energy control","authors":"Pedro Fornaro , Jacopo Ramello , Facundo Daniel Mosquera , Giuseppe Giorgi , John Vincent Ringwood","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00733","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00733","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article presents a detailed description, and step-by-step process, required to build a small-scale wave energy tank demonstrator (Tiny-T). The system consists of an operative wave energy converter (WEC) with active control, representing the first demonstration of electronic WEC control at 1/100 scale. A key feature of Tiny-T is that the full demonstration system costs below €600. This document provides complete details on the materials, construction, and testing of the system, as well as aspects related to the appeal of the demonstration. As an experimental platform, Tiny-T represents a valuable resource for introductory research inquiries, catering to both high school and university-level studies. Overall, Tiny-T accessibility opens doors for a broader audience to engage with the promising potential of wave energy and real-time control technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00733"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939346","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}
HardwareXPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-14DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00730
Thomas Nesmith , Gagan D. Gupta , Darius G. Rackus
{"title":"OpenPore: A low-cost, portable, battery-powered exponential decay pulse generator for electroporation","authors":"Thomas Nesmith , Gagan D. Gupta , Darius G. Rackus","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00730","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00730","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The OpenPore pulse generator is a battery powered, portable exponential decay pulse generator for performing mammalian cell electroporation. Electroporation is a common technique for transporting molecular cargo such as plasmid DNA through cell membranes. The system achieves this by providing a 0–330 V range with manual charge, pulse, and safe discharge controls as well as digital display indicating the stored voltage level. This is powered by two batteries (9 V and 1.5 V) allowing for a compact, lightweight system which can be implemented in a variety of settings based on experimental demands. When used in conjunction with a 0.4 cm commercial electroporation cuvette, transfection efficiencies comparable to commercially available systems are achieved.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00730"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939424","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}
HardwareXPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-21DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00736
Juan Carlos Núñez Dorantes, Mario Luna Flores, José Roberto Grande Ramírez, Verónica Flores Sánchez, Jonathan Josue Cid Galiot, José Ernesto Domínguez Herrera
{"title":"Low-cost oscillating sieving shaker machine for granulometry analysis in food science","authors":"Juan Carlos Núñez Dorantes, Mario Luna Flores, José Roberto Grande Ramírez, Verónica Flores Sánchez, Jonathan Josue Cid Galiot, José Ernesto Domínguez Herrera","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00736","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00736","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article presents the design, fabrication, and validation of a low-cost oscillating sieving shaker machine developed for laboratory-scale granulometric analysis of powdered and solid food materials. The system integrates 3D-printed PLA components, an aluminum modular frame, and a dual gear-motor mechanism that generates controlled oscillatory motion for particle size classification. Designed under open-source and affordability principles, the device was constructed using locally available materials and standard FDM-printing parameters. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of critical components printed in PLA, PETG, and ABS confirmed safe elastic behavior under a representative 5 kg load, with stresses below 21 MPa and displacements under 1.7mm. A thermal-impact study established a linear correlation between load, motor current, and temperature (R<sup>2</sup> ≈ 0.99), with a maximum temperature of 28.8 °C—well below the glass-transition limits of PLA and PETG—ensuring thermally stable operation. Performance tests performed according to ASTM C136/C136M-19 on soy lecithin, potato starch, and ascorbic acid confirmed accurate and reproducible particle-size distributions consistent with literature values. The total fabrication cost of USD 143.78 represents a significant reduction compared to commercial shakers (USD 2,800–3,700). This work validates an open-source, cost-effective, and reproducible device suitable for educational and research laboratories requiring reliable granulometric control in food powder analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00736"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939422","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}
{"title":"Open-source, low-cost 3D-printable testbed for in-body optical wireless communications research","authors":"Syifaul Fuada , Lukasz Surazynski , Mariella Särestöniemi , Teemu Myllylä , Marcos Katz","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2026.e00744","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2026.e00744","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This hardware paper introduces an experimental testbed for in-body optical wireless communication (OWC) studies. The conventional version often relies on bulky optical benches and costly supporting equipment, which are often cost-prohibitive for many research institutions. The proposed testbed featured a small footprint, lightweight, a vertically aligned optical path (with fixed optical component placement), and ambient light shielding. It can be printed using commercial 3D printing, reducing costs compared to conventional optical benches. The 3D-printable testbed consists of a box-like chassis that securely positions a near-infrared (NIR) LED TX at the top and a photodetector RX at the bottom, with a tissue sample (<em>e.g.</em>, ex-vivo porcine tissue or a tissue-mimicking phantom) held firmly in between. All design files, including CAD and STL formats, along with detailed assembly instructions, are made openly available. The inherent design structure enables faster alignment, and the shields can effectively protect against exposure to indoor ambient light (<em>e.g.</em>, typical laboratory lighting), thereby improving experimental reliability. The modular nature of the testbed allows for easy customization to accommodate sensors of different wavelengths and different tissue models. The proposed testbed offers practical benefits and an accessible solution for researchers conducting in-body OWC studies, especially when access to high-end optical equipment is limited.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00744"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146166972","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}
HardwareXPub Date : 2026-03-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2026.e00755
Tate Geiger, Camila González, Johannes Ali, Juliana Vasco-Correa
{"title":"A lab-scale biofiltration system for mitigating diluted methane emissions","authors":"Tate Geiger, Camila González, Johannes Ali, Juliana Vasco-Correa","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2026.e00755","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2026.e00755","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 27–30 times greater than CO<sub>2</sub>. Diffuse sources such as livestock facilities, landfills, and coal mines emit methane at low concentrations (<5% v/v), limiting the applicability of conventional mitigation technologies. Biofiltration, which uses methanotrophic bacteria to oxidize CH<sub>4</sub> to CO<sub>2</sub>, offers a sustainable alternative but lacks standardized hardware, resulting in inconsistent designs and limited reproducibility. We present an open-source, modular lab-scale biofiltration system optimized for continuous operation and experimental replication. The system comprises triplicate packed-bed columns constructed from chemically resistant materials, integrated with mass flow controllers for precise gas delivery, humidifiers to maintain moisture, and standardized fittings for leak-free assembly. Its transparent columns enable visual monitoring, and the bottom-up flow design minimizes media compaction. Validation at an inlet concentration of 0.5% CH<sub>4</sub> achieved mean removal efficiencies of 89.0 ± 6.7%. Design files, bill of materials, and assembly instructions are provided under a CERN OHL license to facilitate adoption and customization. This hardware supports methane mitigation research and broader applications in gas-phase bioprocessing, enabling reproducible studies and accelerating development of scalable biofiltration technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00755"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147395507","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}
HardwareXPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-10DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00728
Prima Wijayakusuma , Galang Persada Nurani Hakim , Bin Li
{"title":"Corrigendum to “TerraGrow: Integrated platform for real time plant monitoring and automated watering system with IoT and fuzzy Sugeno Algorithm”. [HardwareX 24 (2025) e00724]","authors":"Prima Wijayakusuma , Galang Persada Nurani Hakim , Bin Li","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00728","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00728","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00728"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147448986","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}
HardwareXPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-21DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00735
Keng Wooi Ng , Liam Archbold , Wing Man Lau
{"title":"Building Otto: An open-source Franz diffusion cell autosampler for automating in vitro skin permeation studies","authors":"Keng Wooi Ng , Liam Archbold , Wing Man Lau","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00735","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00735","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Franz diffusion cell (FDC), widely used for measuring drug absorption across the skin, is usually operated manually. However, manual operation is not only labour-intensive and time-consuming, but inevitably introduces human errors and inter-operator variability. The requirement to perform regular sampling around the clock also presents a significant logistical challenge for researchers. Commercial FDC automation solutions are costly and require proprietary/bespoke FDC designs. To overcome these challenges, we have developed Otto as a customisable and affordable, aftermarket FDC automation solution, to be retrofitted to existing FDCs of generic specifications. Otto uses a modified cartesian 3D-printer as a gantry and adds liquid-handling capabilities using 3D-printed components and common, inexpensive laboratory consumables. Liquid samples are collected into standard autosampler vials. Capable of handling 100 samples per run, Otto supports a high throughput and integrates well with downstream analytical equipment, without modifying the FDC or the analytical equipment. Its programming is facilitated by OttoMate, a companion software application with a graphical user interface designed to generate human-readable code for Otto. Here, we describe the design, construction, operation and characterisation of Otto. To our knowledge, this is the first open-source, retrofittable FDC autosampler with such throughput.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00735"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939420","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}
HardwareXPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-28DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00738
Jaehyeong Kim , Sangjun Pyo , Hyerin Ahn , Ok Chan Jeong
{"title":"A cost-effective laboratory device for single slow micro compression testing of soft materials in the small-strain region","authors":"Jaehyeong Kim , Sangjun Pyo , Hyerin Ahn , Ok Chan Jeong","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00738","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00738","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In various microscale applications, accurate evaluation of the mechanical properties of materials under small-strain and low-force conditions is important. However, conventional universal testing machines (UTM) are expensive and difficult to operate reliably under low-force conditions, making them unsuitable for small-strain testing. To overcome these limitations, we developed a cost-effective device for single slow micro-compression testing (MCT) to measure the mechanical properties of materials in the small-strain region. The MCT consists of a force sensor (FlexiForce A301-1, Tekscan, USA), an Arduino-based signal acquisition module, and a high-precision z-stage. The displacement control accuracy of the z-stage was verified using a laser displacement meter (LK-G10, Keyence, Japan), and the experimental results confirmed displacement and force resolutions of 1 µm and 0.01 N, respectively. Under no-load conditions, the force–displacement error between the MCT and a commercial universal testing machine (MTS, AMETEK LRX-plus, LLOYD INSTRUMENTS, UK) was within ± 2.0 %. In addition, standard and one-third-size PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) specimens were fabricated according to ASTM <span><span>D575</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>-91 and tested using both systems; the error between the two specimens was within ± 0.05 %. From the linear region in the small-strain range, the Young’s modulus of the miniature specimen was estimated, showing a percentage error of + 2.2 % from reported values, confirming high precision and reliability.</div><div>The developed device, with a total fabrication cost below USD 1,500, provides cost-effectiveness, precision, and repeatability, enabling applications in polymer MEMS and soft robotics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00738"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939421","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}
{"title":"Mercator: A modular swarm-dedicated robot platform","authors":"Miquel Kegeleirs , David Garzón Ramos , Jeanne Szpirer , Cristobal Lara Vera , Guillermo Legarda Herranz , Ilyes Gharbi , Gianpiero Francesca , Mauro Birattari","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2026.e00751","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2026.e00751","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite decades of research, swarm robotics still lacks realistic applications. A primary obstacle is the absence of modern, reliable, and affordable robot platforms for experimentation. Existing commercial robots are often outdated or too limited in sensing, computation, and communication. We introduce <span>Mercator</span>, a modular mobile robot purpose-built for contemporary swarm studies in both laboratory and indoor environments. <span>Mercator</span> integrates on-board object and people recognition, short- and long-range obstacle detection, ceiling-based tracking, and local, decentralized communication. By combining these capabilities in a low-cost and extensible package, <span>Mercator</span> enables swarm robotics research to align with modern mobile robotics standards, supporting navigation, mapping, and advanced perception in laboratory settings. This design promotes closer alignment between laboratory swarm experiments and contemporary robotic systems used in real-world settings. The platform has already been used in peer-reviewed scientific work and several master’s theses, and we plan to expand its use in future research and teaching.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00751"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147327665","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}
HardwareXPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2026.e00745
Madeline E. Federle , Benjamin Lyons , Mithun Ravisankar , Roberto Zenit
{"title":"Design of an accessible turbulence chamber for laboratory experiments","authors":"Madeline E. Federle , Benjamin Lyons , Mithun Ravisankar , Roberto Zenit","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2026.e00745","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ohx.2026.e00745","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Homogeneous isotropic turbulence (HIT) chambers provide a valuable platform for experimentally studying turbulence across a wide range of systems. Existing designs are often characterized by high cost, complex fabrication requirements, and reliance on outsourced components. To address these challenges, we present a low-cost, accessible, and open-source HIT chamber that can be fabricated entirely in-house. The chamber consists of a truncated cube-shaped steel frame with acrylic windows, with a volume of 5.5 liters. Turbulence is generated using eight propellers driven by DC motors, providing controlled agitation of the flow. To assess the performance of our design, particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to quantify the statistical properties of the turbulence. The design leverages simple machining processes and readily available parts, making it practical for laboratories regardless of resources. This open-source design aims to broaden access to HIT experimentation and provide a cost-effective platform for turbulence research and education.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00745"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037793","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}