Campaigns

Campaigns provide means for achieving the vision of free development in electron microscopy. They focus and stimulate activity in areas that are in greatest need of support.

Current postings are at the stage of discussion and therefore are in continuous change. The current approach is three campaigns of increasing complexity and reach, from supporting disclosure of confidential technical information, to encouraging development of bespoke teaching microscopes – free of any restrictions.

Open control

Lack of technical documentation is a barrier that every microscopist is facing when developing a new technique or equipment, or simply when researching what the instrument is executing. Documentation must be at such a level that the user, or any third party, can develop and supply the software controlling the microscope.

Standard parts

Half of any developer’s time is lost on dealing with unique convertors and adaptors for custom interfaces and protocols put in place by an entire spectrum of equipment suppliers. External microscope interfaces must be standardised, common microscope components must be interchangeable, serviceable parts must be available from third parties.

Microscope development toolkit

There is no free path in learning how to make a microscope, or indeed a free way to experiment with novel ideas. There is a need for a microscope development toolkit that anyone can use to learn, to innovate or just to enjoy. A student must be able to source parts and assemble a basic working electron microscope.