应对新冠病毒的 7 个开源硬件项目
开源硬件 新冠病毒

> 
> 开源硬件解决方案可以为抵御新型冠状病毒的传播和痛苦做出贡献。
> 
> 
> 


![](/data/attachment/album/202003/29/103909f50gm91z22twuv23.jpg)


开源[硬件](https://opensource.com/resources/what-open-hardware)运动长期以来一直主张维修权的重要性，完全拥有所购买的技术，并能够像音乐一样重新组合和复制部件。因此，在这个充满挑战的时期内，开源硬件为由冠状病毒大流行引起的一些问题提供了一些答案。


### 背景概述


首先，全球的硬件开发人员正在努力使用开源解决供应链中的弱点，在过去 30 年中，这种理念推动了新软件技术的大量涌现。过去在硬件运动方面的成功，如 [RepRap Project](https://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap)、[Open Source Ecology](https://www.opensourceecology.org/) 和 [Open Source Beehives](https://www.osbeehives.com/)，证明了这一点是可以做到的。


对于使用 3D 打印和其他技术按需生产安全设备和按需制造它的替换零件，创客们的兴趣日益增加。例如，香港理工大学实验室为医院工作人员提供 [3D 打印面罩](https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3052135/polytechnic-university-lab-3d-printing-face)。意大利初创公司 Isinnova 与米兰 FabLab 合作，为受重灾的意大利北部提供用于呼吸机的 [3D 打印替换阀](https://www.3dprintingmedia.network/covid-19-3d-printed-valve-for-reanimation-device/)。公司们还发布了设计以适应我们的物理接触需求，例如 Materialise 的 [3D 打印免提开门器](https://www.3dprintingmedia.network/materialise-shows-3d-printed-door-opener-for-coronavirus-containment-efforts/)。这些更换零件和解决问题的示例是一个很好的起点，为挽救生命做出了努力。


另一种传统的硬件技术正在加速发展：缝纫。法新社报道说，全球急需口罩，来自世界卫生组织的指导也指明了其重要性。随着一次性口罩要优先供给于医护人员，捷克共和国的人们[开始缝制自己的口罩](https://news.yahoo.com/stitch-time-czechs-sew-combat-virus-mask-shortage-205213804.html)。（重复使用的口罩确实会带来细菌问题。）Facebook 小组“捷克缝制口罩”开始在他们的国家解决这个问题，成千上万的成员开始用起了他们的家用缝纫机。


开源硬件设备和机械项目也越来越受欢迎。首先，有一些测试性设备具备高精度且功能强大。其次，在没有其他选择方案的情况下，有一些医疗设备（顶多）可以归类为现场级。这些项目将在下面详细概述。


为了解更多信息，我与总部位于芝加哥的 [Tapster Robotics](http://tapster.io/) 的创始人兼首席执行官 Jason Huggins 进行了交谈。Tapster Robotics 使用 3D 打印、计算机数控（CNC）加工和 [Arduino](https://opensource.com/life/15/5/arduino-or-raspberry-pi) 等开源电子产品设计和制造台式机器人。他兼具技术知识和工业能力，具有很高的影响力。他想投入自己公司的资源来帮助这场斗争。


“基本上，我们现在正处于第二次世界大战的动员时刻。即使我不是医生，我们仍然应该遵循希波克拉底誓言。无论我做什么，我都不想让问题变得更糟”，Huggins 解释，他认为：“作为对策，世卫组织执行主任 Michael Ryan 博士发表了这样的评论：‘速度胜过完美’。”



> 
> 哇！
> 
> 
> 这个人是疾病传播的全球权威。如果您是领导者（无论以何种身份），请注意。如果不是，也请注意。
> 
> 
> [pic.twitter.com/bFogaekehM](https://t.co/bFogaekehM)
> 
> 
> — Jim RichardsSh?wgram（@JIMrichards1010）[2020 年 3 月 15 日](https://twitter.com/JIMrichards1010/status/1239140710558969857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> 
> 
> 


Huggins 在应需提供方面具有丰富的经验。他的努力有助于 [Healthcare.gov](http://Healthcare.gov) 在挑战性的最初启动后得以扩展。他还创建了软件行业标准的测试框架 Selenium 和 Appium。有了这一经验，他的建议非常值得考虑。


我还与 [Tyson Law](https://www.marktysonlaw.com/) 的西雅图律师 Mark Tyson 进行了交谈，他的合作对象是初创公司和小型企业。他在快速发展的行业中与敏捷公司合作有着直接的经验。在阐述整个问题时，Tyson 说到：



> 
> 《<ruby> 善良的撒玛利亚人法 <rt>  Good Samaritan law </rt></ruby>》保护志愿者（即“好撒玛利亚人”）免于因其在紧急情况下提供援助的决定而承担责任。尽管这些法律的具体内容因州而异，但它们具有共同的公共政策依据：即鼓励旁观者帮助遇到紧急情况的其他人。可以想象，除了传统的把车祸的受害者从伤害中拉出来之外，这种理论依据可以证明在不太传统的环境中应用这类法律的合理性。
> 
> 
> 


对于这种特定情况，Tyson 指出：



> 
> “在采取行动之前，创客们明智的做法是与律师沟通一下，以针对特定的州进行风险评估。还应谨慎地要求大型机构（例如医院或保险公司）通过合同接受潜在的责任风险，例如，通过使用赔偿协议，使医院或其保险人同意赔偿创客们的责任。”
> 
> 
> 


Tyson 明白情况的紧迫性和严重性。使用合同的这种选择并不意味着障碍。相反，这可能是一种帮助其大规模采用的方法，以更快地产生更大的变化。这取决于你或你的机构。


综上所述，让我们探索正在使用或正在开发中的项目（可能很快就可以部署）。


### 7 个与新冠病毒对抗的开源硬件项目


#### Opentrons


[Opentrons](https://opentrons.com/) 的开源实验室自动化平台由一套开源硬件、经过验证的实验室器具、消耗品、试剂和工作站组成。Opentrons 表示，其产品可以“在下订单后几天内每天自动进行多达 2400 个测试”的系统，可以极大地帮助提高[新冠病毒测试规模](https://blog.opentrons.com/testing-for-covid-19-with-opentrons/)。它计划在 7 月 1 日之前提升到多达 100 万个测试样本。


![Opentrons roadmap graphic](/data/attachment/album/202003/29/103949in4g7ota2rmne24r.png "Opentrons roadmap graphic")


*来自 Opentrons [网站](https://blog.opentrons.com/testing-for-covid-19-with-opentrons/)，版权所有*


该公司已经在与联邦和地方政府机构合作，以确定其系统是否可以在[紧急使用授权](https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/policy-diagnostics-testing-laboratories-certified-perform-high-complexity-testing-under-clia-prior)下用于临床诊断。 Opentrons 在 [Apache 2.0 许可证](https://github.com/Opentrons/opentrons/blob/edge/LICENSE)下共享。我最初是从与该项目有联系的生物学家 Kristin Ellis 那里得知它的。


#### Chai 的 Open qPCR


Chai 的 [Open qPCR](https://www.chaibio.com/openqpcr) 设备使用[聚合酶链反应](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymerase_chain_reaction)（PCR）快速检测物品表面（例如，门把手和电梯按钮）上的拭子，以查看是否存在新型冠状病毒。这种在 [Apache 2.0 许可证](https://github.com/chaibio/chaipcr)下共享的开源硬件使用 [BeagleBone](https://beagleboard.org/bone) 低功耗 Linux 计算机。Chai 的 Open qPCR 提供的数据可以使公共卫生、公民和企业领导者做出有关清洁、缓解、关闭设施、接触追踪和测试的更明智的决策。


#### OpenPCR


[OpenPCR](https://openpcr.org/) 是 Chai Open qPCR 的创建者 Josh Perfetto 和 Jessie Ho 的 PCR 测试设备套件。与他们的前一个项目相比，这更像是一种 DIY 开源设备，但它具有相同的使用场景：使用环境测试来识别野外冠状病毒。正如该项目页面所指出的那样，“能够检测这些病原体的传统实时 PCR 设备通常花费超过 30,000 美元，而且不适合在现场使用。”由于 OpenPCR 是用户构建的工具包，并且在 [GPLv3.0 许可证](https://github.com/jperfetto/OpenPCR/blob/master/license.txt)下共享，因此该设备旨在使分子诊断的访问大众化。


![OpenPCR](/data/attachment/album/202003/29/104012j62suq78ppvqg6qs.png "OpenPCR")


*来自 OpenPCR [网站](https://openpcr.org/)，版权所有*


而且，就像任何优秀的开源项目一样，它也有一个衍生产品！瑞士的 [Gaudi Labs](http://www.gaudi.ch/GaudiLabs/?page_id=328) 推出的 [WildOpenPCR](https://github.com/GenericLab/WildOpenPCR) 也以 [GPLv3.0 许可证](https://github.com/GenericLab/WildOpenPCR/blob/master/license.txt)共享。


#### PocketPCR


Gaudi Labs 的 [PocketPCR](http://gaudi.ch/PocketPCR/) 热循环仪可通过升高和降低小试管中液体的温度来激活生物反应。它可以通过简单的 USB 电源适配器供电，该适配器可以绑定到设备上，也可以单独使用，不使用计算机或智能手机时可使用预设参数。


![PocketPCR](/data/attachment/album/202003/29/104045ke901kk3nrq1n7qr.png "PocketPCR")


*来自 PocketPCR [网站](http://gaudi.ch/PocketPCR/)，版权所有*


与本文所述的其他 PCR 产品一样，此设备可能有助于对冠状病毒进行环境测试，尽管其项目页面并未明确说明。PocketPCR 在 [GPLv3.0 许可证](https://github.com/GaudiLabs/PocketPCR/blob/master/LICENSE)下共享。


#### Open Lung 低资源呼吸机


[Open Lung 低资源呼吸机](https://gitlab.com/TrevorSmale/low-resource-ambu-bag-ventilor)是一种快速部署的呼吸机，它以[气囊阀罩](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bag_valve_mask)（BVM）（也称为 Ambu 气囊）为核心组件。Ambu 气囊已批量生产，经过认证，体积小，机械简单，并且适用于侵入性导管和口罩。 Open Lung 呼吸机使用微电子技术来感测和控制气压和流量，以实现半自主运行。


![Open Lung ventilator](/data/attachment/album/202003/29/104107oofbp4oboibff3vk.png "Open Lung ventilator")


*Open Lung，[GitLab](https://gitlab.com/TrevorSmale/low-resource-ambu-bag-ventilor/-/blob/master/images/CONCEPT_1_MECH.png)*


这个早期项目拥有一支由数百名贡献者组成的大型团队，领导者包括：Colin Keogh、David Pollard、Connall Laverty 和 Gui Calavanti。它是以 [GPLv3.0 许可证](https://gitlab.com/TrevorSmale/low-resource-ambu-bag-ventilor/-/blob/master/LICENSE)共享的。


#### Pandemic 呼吸机


[Pandemic 呼吸机](https://www.instructables.com/id/The-Pandemic-Ventilator/)是 DIY 呼吸机的原型。像 RepRap 项目一样，它在设计中使用了常用的硬件组件。该项目已由用户 Panvent 于 10 多年前上传到 Instructables，并且有六个主要的生产步骤。该项目是以 [CC BY-NC-SA 许可证](https://www.instructables.com/id/The-Pandemic-Ventilator/)共享的。


#### Folding at Home


[Folding at Home](https://foldingathome.org/) 是一个分布式计算项目，用于模拟蛋白质动力学，包括蛋白质折叠的过程以及与多种疾病有关的蛋白质运动。这是一个面向公民科学家、研究人员和志愿者的行动呼吁，类似于退役的 [SETI@Home 项目](https://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/)使用家中的计算机来运行解码计算。如果你是具备强大计算机硬件功能的技术人员，那么这个项目适合你。


![Markov state model](/data/attachment/album/202003/29/104121wy8vvqc55crjbrv8.png "Markov state model")


*Vincent Voelz，CC BY-SA 3.0*


Folding at Home 项目使用马尔可夫状态模型（如上所示）来建模蛋白质可能采取的形状和折叠途径，以寻找新的治疗机会。你可以在华盛顿大学生物物理学家 Greg Bowman 的帖子《[它是如何运作的以及如何提供帮助](https://foldingathome.org/2020/03/15/coronavirus-what-were-doing-and-how-you-can-help-in-simple-terms/)》中找到有关该项目的更多信息。


该项目涉及来自许多国家和地区（包括香港、克罗地亚、瑞典和美国）的财团的学术实验室、贡献者和公司赞助者。 在 [GitHub](https://github.com/FoldingAtHome) 上，[在混合了 GPL 和专有许可证](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folding@home)下共享，并且可以在 Windows、macOS 和 GNU/Linux（例如 Debian、Ubuntu、Mint、RHEL、CentOS、Fedora）。


### 许多其他有趣的项目


这些项目只是在开源硬件领域中解决或治疗新冠病毒活动中的一小部分。在研究本文时，我发现了其他值得探索的项目，例如：


* Coronavirus Tech Handbook 提供的[开源呼吸机、氧气浓缩器等](https://coronavirustechhandbook.com/hardware)
* 来自 ProjectOpenAir 的 [有用的工程](https://app.jogl.io/project/121#about)
* Hackaday 上的[开源呼吸机黑客马拉松](https://hackaday.com/2020/03/12/ultimate-medical-hackathon-how-fast-can-we-design-and-deploy-an-open-source-ventilator/)
* 约翰·霍普金斯急诊医学住院医师 Julian Botta 的[简单开源机械呼吸机规范](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FNPwrQjB1qW1330s5-S_-VB0vDHajMWKieJRjINCNeE/edit?fbclid=IwAR3ugu1SGMsacwKi6ycAKJFOMduInSO4WVM8rgmC4CgMJY6cKaGBNR14mpM)
* [与冠状病毒有关的网络钓鱼、恶意软件和随机软件正在增加](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmQ1twpPpXA)，作者：Shannon Morse
* [将低成本的 CPAP 鼓风机转换为基本呼吸机](https://github.com/jcl5m1/ventilator)，作者： jcl5m1
* [A.I.R.E. 论坛上关于开源呼吸器和风扇的讨论](https://foro.coronavirusmakers.org/)（西班牙语）
* [关于新冠病毒的开源医疗硬件的特殊问题](https://www.journals.elsevier.com/hardwarex/call-for-papers/special-issue-on-open-source-covid19-medical-hardware)，作者：Elsevier HardwareX


这些项目遍布全球，而这种全球合作正是我们所需要的，因为病毒无视国界。新冠病毒大流行在不同时期以不同方式影响国家，因此我们需要一种分布式方法。


正如我和同事 Steven Abadie 在 [OSHdata 2020 报告](https://oshdata.com/2020-report)中所写的那样，开源硬件运动是全球性运动。参与该认证项目的个人和组织遍布全球 35 个国家地区和每个半球。


![Open source hardware map](/data/attachment/album/202003/29/104136eezii9q5axi8y76y.png "Open source hardware map")


*OSHdata，CC BY-SA 4.0 国际版*


如果你有兴趣加入这场与全球开源硬件开发人员的对话，请加入[开源硬件峰会的 Discord](https://discord.gg/duAtG5h) 服务器，并通过专用渠道进行有关新冠病毒的讨论。你在这里可以找到机器人专家、设计师、艺术家、固件和机械工程师、学生、研究人员以及其他共同为这场战争而战的人。希望可以看到你。




---


via: <https://opensource.com/article/20/3/open-hardware-covid19>


作者：[Harris Kenny](https://opensource.com/users/harriskenny) 选题：[lujun9972](https://github.com/lujun9972) 译者：[wxy](https://github.com/wxy) 校对：[wxy](https://github.com/wxy)


本文由 [LCTT](https://github.com/LCTT/TranslateProject) 原创编译，[Linux中国](https://linux.cn/) 荣誉推出


OK
The open source [hardware](https://opensource.com/resources/what-open-hardware) movement has long championed the importance of the right to repair, fully own the technology you buy, and be able to remix and reproduce gadgets, just like you can with music. And so, during this challenging time, open hardware is providing some answers to some of the problems created by the coronavirus pandemic.

## An overview of what's happening

For one, hardware developers around the world are working to resolve supply chain weaknesses using open source, the same philosophy that has driven a proliferation of new software technologies over the last 30 years. The hardware movement's past successes include the [RepRap Project](https://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap), [Open Source Ecology](https://www.opensourceecology.org/), and [Open Source Beehives](https://www.osbeehives.com/), proving this can be done.

There has been increasing interest in creators using 3D printing and other technologies to create replacement parts for and manufacturing of safety equipment on demand. For example, the Polytechnic University lab in Hong Kong [3D printed face shields](https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3052135/polytechnic-university-lab-3d-printing-face) for hospital workers. And Italian startup Isinnova partnered with the FabLab in Milan to [3D-print replacement valves](https://www.3dprintingmedia.network/covid-19-3d-printed-valve-for-reanimation-device/) for reanimation devices in hard-hit Northern Italy. Companies are also releasing designs to adapt our physical interactions, like this [3D printed hands-free door opener](https://www.3dprintingmedia.network/materialise-shows-3d-printed-door-opener-for-coronavirus-containment-efforts/) from Materialise. These examples of replacing parts and solving problems are an excellent start and appear to be saving lives.

Another traditional hardware technique is picking up steam: sewing. The AFP reports that there is an acute need for face masks around the world and guidance from the World Health Organization about their importance. With single-use, disposable masks being prioritized for healthcare workers, in the Czech Republic people are [taking to sewing to make their own masks](https://news.yahoo.com/stitch-time-czechs-sew-combat-virus-mask-shortage-205213804.html). (Repeat-use masks do introduce sterility concerns.) The Facebook group "Czechia sews face masks" started to address this problem in their country, with tens of thousands of members using their at-home sewing machines.

Open source hardware equipment and machinery projects are also gaining traction. First, there is testing equipment that is sophisticated and highly capable. Next, there is medical equipment that can be categorized as field-grade (at best) for scenarios with no other option. These projects are outlined in detail below.

To learn more, I spoke with Jason Huggins, founder and CEO of Chicago-based [Tapster Robotics](http://tapster.io/). Tapster Robotics designs and manufactures desktop robots using 3D printing, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, and open electronics like [Arduino](https://opensource.com/life/15/5/arduino-or-raspberry-pi). He has both the technical know-how and the industrial capacity to make an impact. And he wants to commit his company's resources to help in this fight.

"Basically, we're in a World War II mobilization moment right now. Even though I'm not a doctor, we should still all follow the Hippocratic Oath. Whatever I do, I don't want to make the problem worse," Huggins explains. "As a counterpoint, there is WHO executive director Dr. Michael Ryan's comment: 'Speed trumps perfection,'" Huggins argues.

Wow.



This man is the global authority on the spread of disease. If you are a leader (in any capacity) watch this. If you are not, watch it too.[pic.twitter.com/bFogaekehM]— Jim Richards Sh?wgram (@JIMrichards1010)

[March 15, 2020]

Huggins has extensive experience with delivering during times of need. His efforts were instrumental in helping [Healthcare.gov](http://Healthcare.gov) scale after its challenging initial launch. He also created the software industry-standard testing frameworks Selenium and Appium. With this experience, his advice is well worth considering.

I also spoke with Seattle-based attorney Mark Tyson of [Tyson Law](https://www.marktysonlaw.com/), who works with startups and small businesses. He has direct experience working with nimble companies in rapidly evolving industries. In framing the overall question, Tyson begins:

Good Samaritan laws protect volunteers—i.e., “Good Samaritans”—from being held liable as a result of their decision to give aid during an emergency. While the specifics of these laws vary by state, they share a common public policy rationale: namely, encouraging bystanders to help others facing an emergency. Conceivably, this rationale could justify application of these types of laws in less traditional settings than, say, pulling the victim of a car accident out of harm’s way.


Applying this specific situation, Tyson notes:

"Before taking action, creators would be wise to speak with an attorney to conduct a state-specific risk assessment. It would also be prudent to ask larger institutions, like hospitals or insurers, to accept potential liability exposure via contract—for instance, through the use of indemnification agreements, whereby the hospital or its insurer agrees to indemnify the creator for liability."


Tyson understands the urgency and gravity of the situation. This option to use contracts is not meant to be a roadblock; instead, it may be a way to help adoption happen at scale to make a bigger difference faster. It is up to you or your organization to make this determination.

With all that said, let's explore the projects that are in use or in development (and may be available for deployment soon).

## 7 open hardware projects fighting COVID-19

### Opentrons

[Opentrons](https://opentrons.com/)' open source lab automation platform is comprised of a suite of open source hardware, verified labware, consumables, reagents, and workstations. Opentrons says its products can help dramatically [scale-up COVID-19 testing](https://blog.opentrons.com/testing-for-covid-19-with-opentrons/) with systems that can "automate up to 2,400 tests per day within days of an order being placed." It plans to ramp up to 1 million tested samples by July 1.

![Opentrons roadmap graphic Opentrons roadmap graphic](https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/uploads/opentrons.png)

The company is already working with federal and local government agencies to determine if its systems can be used for clinical diagnosis under an [emergency use authorization](https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/policy-diagnostics-testing-laboratories-certified-perform-high-complexity-testing-under-clia-prior). Opentrons is shared under an [Apache 2.0 license](https://github.com/Opentrons/opentrons/blob/edge/LICENSE). I first learned of it from biologist Kristin Ellis, who is affiliated with the project.

### Chai Open qPCR

Chai's [Open qPCR](https://www.chaibio.com/openqpcr) device uses [polymerase chain reaction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymerase_chain_reaction) (PCR) to rapidly test swabs from surfaces (e.g., door handles and elevator buttons) to see if the novel coronavirus is present. This open source hardware shared under an [Apache 2.0 license](https://github.com/chaibio/chaipcr) uses a [BeagleBone](https://beagleboard.org/bone) low-power Linux computer. Data from the Chai Open qPCR can enable public health, civic, and business leaders to make more informed decisions about cleaning, mitigation, facility closures, contract tracing, and testing.

### OpenPCR

[OpenPCR](https://openpcr.org/) is a PCR testing device kit from Josh Perfetto and Jessie Ho, the creators behind the Chai Open qPCR. This is more of a DIY open source device than their previous project, but it has the same use case: using environmental testing to identify the coronavirus in the field. As the project page states, "traditional real-time PCR machines capable of detecting these pathogens typically cost upwards of $30,000 US dollars and are not suitable for field usage." Because OpenPCR is a kit users build and is shared under a [GPLv3.0 license](https://github.com/jperfetto/OpenPCR/blob/master/license.txt), the device aims to democratize access to molecular diagnostics.

![OpenPCR OpenPCR](https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/uploads/openpcr.png)

And, like any good open source project, there is a derivative! [WildOpenPCR](https://github.com/GenericLab/WildOpenPCR) by [GaudiLabs](http://www.gaudi.ch/GaudiLabs/?page_id=328) in Switzerland is also shared under a [GPLv3.0 license](https://github.com/GenericLab/WildOpenPCR/blob/master/license.txt).

### PocketPCR

Gaudi Labs' [PocketPCR](http://gaudi.ch/PocketPCR/) thermocycler is used to activate biological reactions by raising and lowering the temperature of a liquid in small test tubes. It can be powered with a simple USB power adapter, either tethered to a device or on its own, with preset parameters that don't require a computer or smartphone.

![PocketPCR PocketPCR](https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/uploads/pocketpcr.png)

Like the other PCR options described in this article, this device may facilitate environmental testing for coronavirus, although its project page does not explicitly state so. PocketPCR is shared under a [GPLv3.0 license](https://github.com/GaudiLabs/PocketPCR/blob/master/LICENSE).

### Open Lung Low Resource Ventilator

The [Open Lung Low Resource Ventilator](https://gitlab.com/TrevorSmale/low-resource-ambu-bag-ventilor) is a quick-deployment ventilator that utilizes a [bag valve mask](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bag_valve_mask) (BVM), also known as an Ambu-bag, as a core component. Ambu-bags are mass-produced, certified, small, mechanically simple, and adaptable to both invasive tubing and masks. The OPEN LUNG ventilator will use micro-electronics to sense and control air pressure and flow, with the goal to enable semi-autonomous operation.

![Open Lung Open Lung ventilator](https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/uploads/open-lung.png)

This early-stage project boasts a large team with hundreds of contributors, led by: Colin Keogh, David Pollard, Connall Laverty, and Gui Calavanti. It is shared under a [GPLv3.0 license](https://gitlab.com/TrevorSmale/low-resource-ambu-bag-ventilor/-/blob/master/LICENSE).

### Pandemic Ventilator

The [Pandemic Ventilator](https://www.instructables.com/id/The-Pandemic-Ventilator/) is a DIY ventilator prototype. Like the RepRap project, it uses commonly available hardware components in its design. The project was uploaded by user Panvent to Instructables more than 10 years ago, and there are six major steps to producing it. The project is shared under a [CC BY-NC-SA license](https://www.instructables.com/id/The-Pandemic-Ventilator/). This video shows the system in action:

### Folding at Home

[Folding at Home](https://foldingathome.org/) is a distributed computing project for simulating protein dynamics, including the process of protein folding and the movements of proteins implicated in a variety of diseases. It is a call-to-action for citizen scientists, researchers, and volunteers to use their computers at home to help run simulations, similar to the decommissioned [SETI@Home project](https://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/). If you're a technologist with capable computer hardware, Folding at Home is for you.

![Markov state model Markov state model](https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/uploads/foldingathome.png)

Folding at Home uses Markov state models (shown above) to model the possible shapes and folding pathways a protein can take in order to look for new therapeutic opportunities. You can find out more about the project in Washington University biophysicist Greg Bowman's post on [how it works and how you can help](https://foldingathome.org/2020/03/15/coronavirus-what-were-doing-and-how-you-can-help-in-simple-terms/).

The project involves a consortium of academic laboratories, contributors, and corporate sponsors from many countries, including Hong Kong, Croatia, Sweden, and the United States. Folding at Home is shared under a [mix of GPL and proprietary licenses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folding@home) on [GitHub](https://github.com/FoldingAtHome) and is multi-platform for Windows, macOS, and GNU/Linux (e.g., Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, RHEL, CentOS, Fedora).

## Many other interesting projects

These projects are just a fraction of the activity happening in the open hardware space to solve or treat COVID-19. In researching this article, I discovered other projects worth exploring, such as:

[Open source ventilators, oxygen concentrators, etc.](https://coronavirustechhandbook.com/hardware)by Coronavirus Tech Handbook[Helpful engineering](https://app.jogl.io/project/121#about)by ProjectOpenAir[Open source ventilator hackathon](https://hackaday.com/2020/03/12/ultimate-medical-hackathon-how-fast-can-we-design-and-deploy-an-open-source-ventilator/)on Hackaday[Specifications for simple open source mechanical ventilator](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FNPwrQjB1qW1330s5-S_-VB0vDHajMWKieJRjINCNeE/edit?fbclid=IwAR3ugu1SGMsacwKi6ycAKJFOMduInSO4WVM8rgmC4CgMJY6cKaGBNR14mpM)by Johns Hopkins emergency medicine resident Julian Botta[Coronavirus-related phishing, malware, and randomware on the rise](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmQ1twpPpXA)by Shannon Morse[Converting a low-cost CPAP blower into a rudimentary ventilator](https://github.com/jcl5m1/ventilator)by jcl5m1[Forum A.I.R.E. discussion on open respirators and fans](https://foro.coronavirusmakers.org/)(Spanish/español)[Special Issue on Open-Source COVID19 Medical Hardware](https://www.journals.elsevier.com/hardwarex/call-for-papers/special-issue-on-open-source-covid19-medical-hardware)by Elsevier HardwareX

These projects are based all over the world, and this type of global cooperation is exactly what we need, as the virus ignores borders. The novel coronavirus pandemic affects countries at different times and in different ways, so we need a distributed approach.

As my colleague Steven Abadie and I write in the [OSHdata 2020 Report](https://oshdata.com/2020-report), the open source hardware movement is a global movement. Participating individuals and organizations with certified projects are located in over 35 countries around the world and in every hemisphere.

![Open source hardware map Open source hardware map](https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/uploads/oshdata-country.png)

If you are interested in joining this conversation with open source hardware developers around the world, join the [Open Hardware Summit Discord](https://discord.gg/duAtG5h) server with a dedicated channel for conversations about COVID-19. You can find roboticists, designers, artists, firmware and mechanical engineers, students, researchers, and others who are fighting this war together. We hope to see you there.

## 6 Comments