Spectral analysis may not be on everyone’s radar, but the nonprofit science network Public Lab believes it should be. Established to foster a community of citizen scientists dedicated to assessing the health and quality of their environment, Public Lab has initiated a crowdfunded challenge aimed at developing affordable, open-source spectrometers.
"The motivation behind our efforts stemmed from concerns about pollution," explains Jeff Warren, research director and co-founder of Public Lab. "The objective is to encourage individuals to address the significant issue of contaminants in their local environments."
Public Lab found its focus after the Deepwater Horizon disaster and began utilizing spectrometers to analyze water samples by examining light interactions. Given that many people reside in areas susceptible to pollution, Warren argues that they should be empowered to identify existing contaminants. Traditionally, spectrometers tend to be costly and complex; thus, last summer, the team created a simplified version and successfully promoted it through a Kickstarter campaign. Still, Warren emphasizes that this hardware is just the beginning. "We want people to engage with it and, importantly, contribute to its enhancement," he asserts. To fully realize the potential of the spectrometer, engaging the maker community is essential.
"Users build and calibrate the device, but then they often ask, ‘now what?’" Warren states. "Having a decent device is different from providing a test that anyone can easily conduct."
Public Lab is actively seeking innovative designs and diverse applications for the spectrometer, whether for analyzing beverages or monitoring pollution, while documenting the respective techniques forms part of this initiative. Following the successful Kickstarter campaign, Warren has observed a surge in community interest and support. With this contest, he hopes to harness that enthusiasm into a unified project for makers looking for a meaningful outlet.
The rewards for participation are still being finalized. Those who see value in the endeavor are encouraged to contribute, and Warren anticipates that the prize will accumulate over time, with the challenge remaining open-ended. This means it may take years before Public Lab finds the perfect solution. However, the initial phase of the contest does feature a $1,000 reward for those who can effectively document a method to advance open-source spectroscopy.
"It’s about capturing that same spirit and sense of belonging that comes from supporting a Kickstarter project," remarks Warren. "But this initiative goes further; it’s about everyone actively participating, not just providing financial backing."