The big difference to software is that with open hardware, the blueprints and assembly instructions are open, but the physical instruments and hardware still need to be built. The open hardware spans from simple 3D prints to complicated customized instruments. In order to lower the barrier to utilize the open hardware, it is crucial to provide researchers with practical experience in making hardware.

Many suitable platforms in Turku exist already (eg. Protopaja, 3Dprinters, Maker´s studio, many labs etc.) but they are scattered and researchers are not well aware of them. In addition, working together with something new is also one of the best ways to promote collaboration and networking. Therefore, we are now organizing open hardware workshops aimed at enhancing skills of bioscience researchers and strengthening the collaborative environment in the BioCity Turku community.

Bioscience Open Hardware Workshop has two parts i) a seminar day (1.12.2025) with local presenters and networking and ii) having separate smaller hands-on workshop (25.-27.11.2025) where we would actually build something simple together. The focus will be in local infra and people, so that it would spark new ideas that could be explored rapidly using local capabilities.

Tentative seminar day program

Monday 1.12.2025
Onsite event
Venue TBA

08:30 – Registration & Morning Coffee
09:00 – Opening Remarks
09:10 – Open Hardware in Biosciences: Concepts, Impact, and Local Landscape
09:50 – Participant Labs: Open Hardware in Action (Session 1)
10:35 – Coffee Break & Networking
10:50 – Participant Labs: Open Hardware in Action (Session 2)
11:35 – Panel Discussion: Building a Collaborative Local Open Hardware Community
12:10 – Lunch & Informal Discussion
13:10 – Showcase: Practical Hands-on Workshop Results
14:10 – Collaborative Brainstorming
15:00 – Closing of the day