Stanford bioengineer creates $5 chemistry set

Manu Prakash won The Science Play and Research Kit Competition (SPARK) to develop the 21st century chemistry set. His version, based on a toy music box, is small, robust, programmable and costs $5. It can inspire young scientists and also address developing world problems like water quality and health.

[@mprakash44]

For folks who care about the actual details and applications - here is the ArXiv paper: arxiv-web3.library.cornell.edu/abs/1408.4874

[@asishmohandas]

amazing sir.

[@sherri99516]

Sounds like a huge winner - Necessity is the mother of invention: Stanford bioengineer creates $5 chemistry set. Thanks for the post.

[@uxtalzon]

$5 chemistry set, yours only for $350!

[@skorir23]

Gread job! Def a game changer! Hope to see it on Indiegogo a non-profit crowdfunding site:)b

[@kh155]

Dude sits around all day modding a music box mechanism...make a vid when this gimmick receives some sort of viable real world use.

[@SaeedNeamati]

Didn't get it. Can someone bring forward practical examples and usages scenarios?

[@lisakeaney7349]

cool idea . . . but where did you get that awesome t-shirt : )

[@WayneJohnsonZastil]

Can I hear kickstarter for this?

[@GoSuMonSteR]

This is awesome! Good Work!

[@giordanop.6868]

I wanna copyright that strip! #mechanicals #publishing #alreadyseeninhumanhistory #intellectualproperty

[@____________________________.x]

Piezo inkjet devices would seem a more accurate technology to exploit

[@briefestconstitutional9638]

This is such a gimmick. First, it won't make chemistry more democratic, rather it automates chemistry through the spread and execution of programs. If chemistry is anything, it is the analysis of chemicals. And second: countries that do not have the infrastructure for labs within rural and underdeveloped communities (aka the front lines) are likely also countries that do not have the infrastructure for the distribution of precursor chemicals to perform those analysis/works. Yellow journalism from public relationship departments of a not-for-profit educational institution.

[@tardydemodarby]

I bet you're fun at parties!

[@twelvecatsinatrenchcoat]

Or you know... a little contraption that Stanford thinks is neat and wants people to see... but yeah, sure maybe your thing too.

[@briefestconstitutional9638]

luke darby find comfort and enjoy the banality.

[@alexandermorris1952]

Modern day instruments are integral in today's research, and quite innovative in their development. This is a brilliant engineering, simple design and highly useable. Feld researchers can take measurments not subject to contamination, or heavy chemical testing equipment. Water reservoirs in chemical/mining/drilling can be tested on the spot. And future point of care devices could leveraged out of the lab. I can't see an engineer in industry having the time to design such a widely marketable product.

[@ahmedal-doori2704]

The most genius thing I've ever seen

[@shreyasp3287]

Stanford im comming

[@misterramprasad]

fascinating! and magical!

[@jasona7029]

login in to kickstarter now

[@jMsism]

Amazing!

[@jasonjing6583]

;) u

[@saumilshah4470]

you made india proud

[@Peter-gk3jq]

Why to go back to turing era and design all those things which are already being implemented in computation ? Why not write a 10 line code to implement this procedure, which will save both time and money ?

[@getsideways7257]

And what exactly can be done with that set with no electricity around?