OpenLH: Open Liquid-Handling System for Creative Experimentation with Biology
Uses a commercial robotic arm + modified pipette + block-based programming; relevant example of robot-arm liquid handling. | Early ‘open liquid handling’ system description; may provide useful design patterns + references.
- Year
- 2019
- Skill
- low
- Docs
- limited
- Rubric
- 3.5 / 5
Implementation assessment
Scoring by criterion
Scores describe accessibility and implementation characteristics reported in the reviewed source. They are not a measure of scientific quality.
Resolution
Minimum volume evidence about 1000 uL.
Scalability/Throughput
Evidence of parallel, plate-scale, multi-head, or unattended operation.
Build and Part Sourcing Complexity
Mostly off-the-shelf or kit-based components.
Skill Complexity
Build/operation described as low-skill or basic assembly.
Equipment/Cosumable/Facility Requirement Accessibility
Uses common benchtop/desktop equipment or generic consumables.
Application Level
Presented as modular or usable across multiple workflows.
Accessibility to documentation
Some open documentation or files are available.
Validation/Troubleshooting Complexity
Validation includes standards, benchmarking, replicates, or multi-condition tests.
Speed/Cycle Time
Speed evidence suggests rapid, real-time, or automated operation.
Build Time
Build time not reported; assigned neutral score.
Linked tools
Record metadata
Publication data
Crossref and OpenAlex
Publication record
Abstract
The biological prototyping revolution is in motion, and new tools are needed to empower HCI researchers, designers, makers, and bio-enthusiasts to experiment with live organisms. We present OpenLH, a liquid handling system that empowers users to conduct accurate and repetitive experiments with live biology in a sterile, open, and affordable way. OpenLH integrates a commercially available robotic arm with custom 3D printed parts, a modified pipette, and a visual block-based programming interface. The system is as accurate as commercial liquid handlers, capable of repetitive tasks in micro-scale accuracy, easy to operate, and supports multi-materials including biomaterials, microorganisms and cell cultures. We describe the system's technical implementation and two custom interfaces. We demonstrate the system's impact for the HCI community with two use cases that include experimentation with live biology in non-traditional fields: visual design using pigment-expressing E.coli, and beer brewing experiment using serial dilution in home context.
Bibliographic details
Access and metrics
Topics and keywords
Perspective and practical signals
Why it matters
Uses a commercial robotic arm + modified pipette + block-based programming; relevant example of robot-arm liquid handling. | Early ‘open liquid handling’ system description; may provide useful design patterns + references.
Limitations
No limitation note curated yet.