Abstract
Science outreach and communication are gaining more and more importance for conveying the meaning of today’s research to the general public. Public exhibitions of scientific instruments can provide hands-on experience with technical advances and their applications in the life sciences. The software of such devices, however, is oftentimes not appropriate for this purpose. In this study, we describe a software framework and the necessary computer configuration that is well suited for exposing a complex self-built and software-controlled instrument such as a microscope to laymen under limited supervision, e.g. in museums or schools. We identify several aspects that must be met by such software, and we describe a design that can simultaneously be used to control either (i) a fully functional instrument in a robust and fail-safe manner, (ii) an instrument that has low-cost or only partially working hardware attached for illustration purposes or (iii) a completely virtual instrument without hardware attached. We describe how to assess the educational success of such a device, how to monitor its operation and how to facilitate its maintenance. The introduced concepts are illustrated using our software to control eduSPIM, a fluorescent light sheet microscope that we are currently exhibiting in a technical museum.
Highlights
Science outreach can be performed in different ways, e.g. through web publishing, public discussions, school visits or dedicated outreach events
The page was divided into three panels: the main panel containing a snapshot of the latest rendering displayed on the microscope computer, a diagram showing the number of stacks acquired since the exhibition was opened and a histogram indicating how often each button was pressed on the current day
The concepts presented in this paper apply whenever a scientific instrument needs to be operated reliably without supervision
Summary
Science outreach can be performed in different ways, e.g. through web publishing, public discussions, school visits or dedicated outreach events. In this paper we elaborate the concepts of a modular software framework that is well suited for controlling an autonomously running scientific instrument. Thorough error handling is critical for the unsupervised operation of a fully functional instrument with working hardware attached to it.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
