OpenFlexure Project is revolutionizing scientific research and education by making high-precision GaudiLab is a unique intersection of culture and technology, fostering innovation through open-source solutions in the world of laboratory equipment and DIY technology. Founded and headquartered in Lucerne, Switzerland, GaudiLab operates as both a physical lab space and a global network, driven by a mission to democratize scientific tools and create collaborative spaces for interdisciplinary exploration. Led by microengineer Urs Gaudenz, GaudiLab has become known for its inventive approach to biotechnology and digital fabrication.
GaudiLab’s Mission and Approach
At GaudiLab, the philosophy is simple: open research, open access, and community collaboration. By developing tools and methodologies that anyone can build and use, GaudiLab is opening the door to scientific exploration for individuals, educators, and researchers, regardless of their background or location. Much of the lab’s equipment is designed from common consumer electronics components—think DVD drives, hard disks, and computer fans—transforming them into advanced, DIY lab tools.
Key Projects
GaudiLab’s commitment to open-source has resulted in a range of pioneering projects:
- OpenDrop: A digital microfluidics platform using electro-wetting technology, ideal for lab-on-a-chip applications in digital biology.
- PocketPCR: A low-cost, USB-powered PCR thermocycler, making DNA amplification accessible.
- Open.Theremin: A modern, open-source take on the classic Theremin instrument, bridging science and art.
- DIY Bio Printer and Micro Laser Cutter: Repurposing CD drives and other parts to create a DIY laser cutter and precise liquid printer for bioscience applications.
- Low-Cost Microfluidic Devices: Designs for microfluidic devices made from affordable materials to control fluid behavior on a micro-scale.
Each of these projects is documented under an open license, allowing anyone to recreate, modify, or improve upon them.
GaudiLab Hack Sprints
GaudiLab regularly hosts hack sprints, collaborative events where people gather to work intensively on specific topics. These sessions encourage hands-on learning and creative problem-solving, with participants documenting their findings for others to access and build upon. Past hack sprints have tackled subjects like:
- Enzyme Applications in Fashion (2021)
- Graphene Research (2020)
- Microplastics in Soil (2018)
- DIY Laser Tweezers (2012)
The hack sprints bring together scientists, engineers, artists, and enthusiasts, sparking new ideas and projects within the open-source community.
Mobile Labs and Global Initiatives
GaudiLab’s impact isn’t limited to a single location. Mobile labs bring GaudiLab’s philosophy and equipment to diverse environments worldwide, from urban hackathons to remote villages. One example is the HackteriaLab 2014 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where GaudiLab collaborated with the Green Tech Community to set up a mobile lab in the Wonosadi Forest. Here, researchers documented biodiversity and shared knowledge with local villagers, highlighting the power of open-source science in real-world applications.
Supporting DIY Science
GaudiLab also offers an online shop, GaudiShop, where enthusiasts can purchase some of the lab’s open-source equipment. This makes it easier for people interested in DIY biology, digital fabrication, and low-cost lab equipment to get started, regardless of their access to traditional lab resources.
In the spirit of open-source hardware, GaudiLab’s designs, processes, and documentation are freely available online, often through platforms like hackteria.org. The goal is to empower individuals around the world to learn, experiment, and innovate, promoting a “third culture” where science, technology, and creativity intersect.
For more information on GaudiLab’s projects and to get involved, visit their official website.
