Instructor: Dr. Benedict Diederich (IPHT & OpenUC2)

In the fast-evolving landscape of scientific research, the microscope has emerged as an indispensable tool across diverse fields such as Biology, Material Sciences, and Chemistry. However, the increasing complexity and cost of these instruments have led to an exclusive realm of expertise, threatening to divide the global scientific community. Moreover, the pressure to deliver groundbreaking research results can occasionally lead to manipulation of scientific data, eroding societal trust in scientific findings.
This workshop aims to address these challenges by highlighting the transformative potential of open source projects, such as the 3D printed OpenFlexure [1] microscope and the modular microscopy system UC2 [2]. By offering open-access documentation and open-source design files, these projects foster replication across the globe, a high degree of transparency and reproducibility. This inclusive approach not only preserves these projects beyond their lifetimes but also stimulates an open, iterative development process driven by a thriving user and developer community.
The workshop intends to provide an insight into various projects that serve as examples for community building and comprehensive documentation. It will introduce the free and user-friendly tools necessary for documenting and preparing scientific publications, as well as for sharing knowledge with the public, for instance, through Citizen Science initiatives. Lastly, it will offer an exemplar of how open innovation can facilitate the scaling of a project established at a scientific institution within an open-source led company.
In essence, this workshop aims to explore the interplay between science and open-source principles, offering practical strategies to democratize scientific research and practice.

[1] – https://openflexure.org/
[2] – https://openuc2.github.io/ / https://openuc2.com

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Slides