Open-Source Assisted Laboratory Automation through Graphical User Interfaces and 3D Printers: Application to...

Area of Science:

• Automation in Scientific Research
• Open-Source Software in Laboratories
• Experimental Procedure Design

Background:

• Higher-order data generation faces automation challenges due to complex equipment programming and electronics.
• Integrating diverse techniques and equipment requires significant investment in hardware, software, and skilled personnel.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present Design of Inputs-Outputs with Sikuli (DIOS), a novel, free, and open-source program.
• To provide a general framework for automating experimental procedures without requiring programming or electronics expertise.
• To demonstrate the adaptability of DIOS for complex analytical techniques.

Main Methods:

• DIOS treats instruments as network nodes with physical and virtual inputs/outputs.
• Virtual components (e.g., equipment GUIs) are managed via Sikuli scripting's image recognition.
• Physical components are controlled using an adapted open-source 3D printer.

Main Results:

• Two experiments (fluorescence matrices, HPLC) were successfully adapted for automated execution using DIOS.
• Satisfactory analytical performance was achieved in the automated experiments.
• The study demonstrated cost savings and reduced operator intervention.

Conclusions:

• DIOS offers a viable, cost-effective solution for automating scientific experiments.
• The use of open-source tools like DIOS and Sikuli significantly lowers barriers to automation.
• DIOS facilitates higher-order data generation with enhanced efficiency and accessibility.