OpenLabTools at Cambridge

OpenLabTools is a new initiative at Cambridge University, using engineering students to develop modular lab equipment.

The OpenLabTools initiative aims to provide a forum and knowledge centre for the development of low cost and open access scientific tools, with an emphasis on undergraduate and graduate teaching and research. The programme is developed thanks to contributions from a number of MEng students (4-5 per year) and summer interns. We focus on establishing modular components commonly required for such tools; these include data acquisition, sensing, actuating, processing and 3D manufacturing. Protocols, designs and tutorials are published on this website. These components are subsequently combined to create a documented collection of instruments, to be developed and maintained by a community of undergraduate and graduate students of the University. Currently developed instruments include an automated microscope and a mechanical testing system.