{"id":661624,"date":"2025-04-09T10:57:22","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T07:57:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/3d-printed-open-source-robot-offers-accessible-solution-for-materials-synthesis\/"},"modified":"2025-04-09T10:57:22","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T07:57:22","slug":"3d-printed-open-source-robot-offers-accessible-solution-for-materials-synthesis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/3d-printed-open-source-robot-offers-accessible-solution-for-materials-synthesis\/","title":{"rendered":"3D-printed open-source robot offers accessible solution for materials synthesis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n The open-source robotic system FLUID (Flowing Liquid Utilizing Interactive Device). Credit: Keisuke Takahashi
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A team of researchers led by Professor Keisuke Takahashi at the Faculty of Science<\/a>, Hokkaido University, have created FLUID (Flowing Liquid Utilizing Interactive Device), an open-source robotic system constructed using a 3D printer and off-the-shelf electronic components.<\/p>\n

To demonstrate FLUID’s capabilities, the team used the robot to automate the co-precipitation of cobalt and nickel, creating binary materials with precision and efficiency.<\/p>\n

“By adopting open source, utilizing a 3D printer, and taking advantage of commonly-available electronics, it became possible to construct a functional robot that is customized to a particular set of needs at a fraction of the costs typically associated with commercially-available robots,” said Mikael Kuwahara, the lead author of the study.<\/p>\n

FLUID’s hardware comprises four independent modules, each equipped with a syringe, two valves, a servo motor for valve control, and a stepper motor to precisely control the syringe plunger. Each module also has an end-stop sensor to detect the syringe’s maximum fill position. These modules are connected to microcontroller boards that receive commands from a computer via USB.<\/p>\n

The system also includes software that lets users control the robot’s functions, such as valve adjustments and syringe movements and provides real-time status updates and sensor data.<\/p>\n

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The open-source robotic system FLUID (Flowing Liquid Utilizing Interactive Device) in operation. (Keisuke Takahashi). Credit: Keisuke Takahashi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The researchers have made the design files openly available so researchers anywhere in the world can replicate or modify the robot according to their specific experimental needs.<\/p>\n

By providing an open-source and 3D-printable alternative to expensive commercial robots, FLUID could enable a broader community of researchers to engage in automated experimentation in material science.<\/p>\n

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This could be particularly beneficial for researchers in resource-limited settings or for scientists focusing on niche areas where commercial solutions may not be readily available or cost-effective. With a customizable design that can be printed using commercial components, they can conduct sophisticated experiments without significant capital investment.<\/p>\n

“This app<\/a>roach aims to democratize automation in material synthesis, providing researchers with a practical, cost-effective solution to accelerate innovation in materials science,” Takahashi explained.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, the researchers plan to integrate additional sensors to monitor other parameters, such as temperature and pH. These will expand the robot’s ability to handle a wider variety of chemical reactions, including polymer mixing and organic synthesis.<\/p>\n

The software will also be further developed to include features like macro recording to streamline repetitive tasks and enhanced data logging to improve experimental reproducibility and data analysis.<\/p>\n

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More information:<\/strong>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDevelopment of an Open-Source 3D-Printed Material Synthesis Robot FLUID: Hardware and Software Blueprints for Accessible Automation in Materials Science, ACS Applied Engineering Materials<\/i> (2025). DOI: 10.1021\/acsaenm.5c00084<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n Provided by
\n Hokkaido University
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\n Citation<\/strong>:
\n FLUID: 3D-printed open-source robot offers accessible solution for materials synthesis (2025, April 8)
\n retrieved 9 April 2025
\n from https:\/\/techxplore.com\/news<\/a>\/2025-04-fluid-3d-source-robot-accessible.html\n <\/p>\n

\n This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
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