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Internet of Samples (iSamples): Toward an interdisciplinary cyberinfrastructure for material samples.
Neil Davies1,2, John Deck3, Eric C Kansa4
1Gump South Pacific Research Station, University of California, BP 244, Moorea 98728, French Polynesia.
Gigascience
|May 7, 2021
Summary
The Internet of Samples (iSamples) project provides a unified system for managing scientific material samples and their data. This cyberinfrastructure enables better discovery and reuse of samples across disciplines.
Area of Science:
- Natural Sciences
- Environmental Science
- Material Science
Background:
- Scientific research relies on sampling the natural and built environments.
- Current systems for managing material samples and associated data are fragmented across various institutional catalogs and discipline-specific standards.
- Lack of standardized identification and metadata practices hinders sample discovery and reuse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a standards-based collaboration for uniquely identifying material samples.
- To create a system for consistently recording core metadata about samples.
- To link samples with other samples, data, and research products for enhanced scientific discovery.
Main Methods:
- Development of the Internet of Samples (iSamples) cyberinfrastructure.
- Implementation of standards-based collaboration for sample identification and metadata.
- Extension of existing data stewardship resources and best practices.
Main Results:
- A cross-domain cyberinfrastructure for material sample management.
- Unique and consistent identification of material samples.
- Facilitation of linking samples to related data and research products.
Conclusions:
- iSamples provides a foundational cyberinfrastructure for 21st-century natural science.
- The system enables transdisciplinary research by improving sample accessibility and reusability.
- Standardized management of material samples and metadata is crucial for scientific advancement.
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