# open science hardware > hardware used for scientific investigations that can be obtained, assembled, used, studied, modified, shared, and sold by anyone **Wikidata**: [Q62392060](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62392060) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/open-science-hardware ## Summary Open science hardware is a class of hardware used for scientific investigations that can be obtained, assembled, used, studied, modified, shared, and sold by anyone. It functions as a specific application of open hardware, characterized by openly accessible design documents that allow for broad modification and redistribution. This approach facilitates scientific research by lowering barriers to equipment access and promoting transparency in experimental methodologies. ## Key Facts - **Definition**: Hardware used for scientific investigations that can be obtained, assembled, used, studied, modified, shared, and sold by anyone. - **Parent Class**: Subclass of **open hardware** (hardware whose design documents are openly accessible to and modifiable by others). - **Acronyms**: Also known as **FOSH**, **OSH**, or **OSHw**. - **Authority Control**: Defined by the **Open Science Thesaurus** (ID: G9J1WQ69-H). - **Core Characteristics**: Defined by the "R" freedoms: the rights to use, study, modify, and distribute the hardware. - **Ontology Status**: Sitelink count for parent class "open hardware" is 31, indicating established structural representation in knowledge bases. ## FAQs ### Q: What is the difference between open science hardware and standard laboratory equipment? A: While standard laboratory equipment often relies on proprietary designs that restrict modification, open science hardware features openly accessible design documents. This allows researchers to study how the equipment works, repair it, modify it for specific needs, and share those improvements with the scientific community. ### Q: Can open science hardware be used for commercial purposes? A: Yes. By definition, open science hardware can be "sold by anyone," distinguishing it from strictly non-commercial open licenses. This allows for the creation of sustainable business models around the manufacture and support of scientific tools. ### Q: What are the common aliases for this concept? A: The concept is frequently abbreviated as **FOSH** (Free and Open Source Hardware), **OSH**, or **OSHw** within academic and maker communities. ### Q: How does open science hardware relate to "Open Hardware"? A: Open science hardware is a specific subclass of the broader category of open hardware. While open hardware applies to general electronics and machinery, open science hardware is specifically purposed for scientific investigations and data collection. ## Why It Matters Open science hardware matters because it fundamentally shifts the economics and methodology of scientific research. By removing proprietary restrictions on design, it allows scientists to verify the "black box" internals of their tools, ensuring greater transparency and reproducibility in experimental results. This accessibility lowers the financial barrier to entry for high-quality research, enabling institutions in developing regions, citizen scientists, and educational organizations to assemble or modify sophisticated instrumentation at a fraction of the cost of commercial alternatives. Furthermore, the ability to modify and share these tools accelerates innovation. Instead of waiting for commercial vendors to update products, researchers can adapt hardware in real-time to fit novel experimental parameters. This collaborative ecosystem fosters a "remix" culture in science, where improvements are shared back to the community, creating a multiplier effect for resource investment. By treating hardware as a knowledge commons rather than a consumable product, open science hardware aligns the tools of discovery with the open science principles of transparency, rigor, and equity. ## Notable For - **Comprehensive Definition**: Unique in its explicit listing of seven distinct rights (obtain, assemble, use, study, modify, share, sell). - **Intersection of Disciplines**: Bridges the gap between the open source software movement and physical scientific instrumentation. - **Thesaurus Recognition**: Formally codified in the Open Science Thesaurus, highlighting its relevance in library and information science. - **Global Accessibility**: Promotes equity in science by allowing "assembly" and "study" rather than just passive consumption of tools. ## Body ### Defining Characteristics Open science hardware is strictly defined by the permissions granted to its users. Unlike "open source" which may imply access only to source code, or "open access" which implies access only to reading, open science hardware encompasses a full spectrum of usage rights. **The Seven Permissions:** According to the provided description, true open science hardware must permit users to: 1. **Obtain**: Access to the physical device or the design documents required to create it. 2. **Assemble**: The right to physically construct the hardware from its components or designs. 3. **Use**: The ability to operate the hardware for its intended scientific purpose without restriction. 4. **Study**: Access to the design documents (schematics, blueprints) to understand the mechanism and theory of operation. 5. **Modify**: The right to alter, improve, or adapt the design for new purposes. 6. **Share**: The ability to redistribute the original designs or the physical hardware. 7. **Sell**: The right to commercially distribute the hardware or derivatives. ### Classification and Lineage In the hierarchy of technical objects, open science hardware is a **subclass of open hardware**. This parent class is broadly defined as hardware whose design documents are made publicly available for modification. The specific application to "scientific investigations" distinguishes this subclass, targeting specific use cases in laboratories, field research, and academic settings. ### Provenance and Sources The definition provided is standardized and referenced in formal knowledge bases. It is explicitly described by the **Open Science Thesaurus** (identifier G9J1WQ69-H), a resource referenced on 2021-10-23. This ensures that the concept aligns with broader efforts to organize scientific terminology and FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). ## References 1. [Source](http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/TSO-G9J1WQ69-H)