Commit: Digital pipette: open hardware for liquid transfer in self-driving laboratories

Abstract

Precise liquid handling is an essential operation for self-driving laboratories. In 2023, we introduced the digital pipette, a low-cost, 3D-printed device that enables accurate liquid transfer by robotic arms. However, the initial version lacked mechanisms to prevent cross-contamination when handling multiple liquids. In this commit paper, we present the digital pipette v2, an updated design that mitigates contamination risk by allowing robotic arms to exchange pipette tips. The new hardware achieves liquid handling accuracy within the permissible error range defined by ISO 8655-2, supporting a broader range of experiments involving multiple liquids.