User:Conor

I keep coming across references to "a set of 40 tools" that make up the Open Ecology project. But nowhere on this wiki can I find a list of them. So here are the tools I personally would like to see. I am very pleasantly surprised to find that once you get clear about what tools are needed, open-source designs can be found online for the majority of them.

It is important to realize that if there are to be replicable ecovillages, they will each have different requirements. So some may use wind turbines, while others use solar. Some may keep bees while others do not. Some may farm hydroponically while others use permaculture. So the toolkit is to be used on a pick-and-mix basis.

Each of these tools must fulfil the following requirements.

• Open documentation
• Instructional videos or similar
• Bill of materials with sourcing info
• Low cost
• Lifetime design
• Modular design for easy disassembly and repair

Energy

Wind turbine

Plenty of open-source ones:

• http://www.appropedia.org/WaterPod_WindPod_Turbine
• http://practicalaction.org/energy/small_scale_wind_power
• http://www.velacreations.com/chispito.html

http://www.appropedia.org/Optimized_Blade_Design_for_Homemade_Windmills

• http://makeawindturbine.com/

Again, just a matter of organizing the existing information. Would be nice to get some CAD files made so that people can CNC good blades

Microbial fuel cell

Plenty of open-source designs for these. Need to combine the best features of each, make instructional video.

• http://www.microbialfuelcell.org/www/index.php/Tutorials/
• Instructables Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
• Six part YouTube tutorial
• Lecture by Bruce Logan with lots of ways to optimize power output

Stirling engine

http://openstirlingengine.blogspot.com/ In alpha phase

Food

Vertical hydroponic units

Complete open-source designs exist: http://www.n55.dk/MANUALS/HOME_HYDRO/HOME_HYDRO.html

Scalable aquaponic system

Barrelponics and Farm Fountain are complete open-source aquaponic systems.

Beehives

All that needs to be done is for someone to turn Langstroth or National hives into CAD files so that they can be 3D printed.

Wormery

Many complete open-source designs exist:

• http://www.n55.dk/MANUALS/SOIL_FACTORY/SOIL.html
• http://paulstownallotments.com/Wormery/Wormery.html#Large_scale

Small modular fish farm

Complete open source design exists: http://www.n55.dk/manuals/fishfarm/fishfarm.html

Spirulina

This is basically open-source spirulina farming: http://www.antenna.ch/en/malnutrition/training-module.html

Mushrooms

Again, a lot of information online about how to do it, but no complete out-of-the-box design.

Water

Atmospheric water generator

We need a prototype, bill of materials, instructional videos and design documentation. Can be done either with hygroscopic materials or recirculating cold water.

http://sculptors.com/~salsbury/Articles/atmospheric-condensing.html Gives a verbal description of a prototype

Digital fabrication

CAD software

There's loads of open CAD software out there. It's still evolving, of course.

3D scanner

• http://www.david-laserscanner.com/
• MakerScanner, uses a PS3 webcam (which cost about $40) and a few parts that can be 3D printed.
• http://www.splinescan.co.uk/

Laser cutter

In development by the Lasersaur community

3D printer

RepRap

CNC torch table

RepTab

CNC drill-mill-lathe

MultiMachine

Spectroscope

Elphel cameras are open-source hardware and can be used for spectroscopy. This is actually what MIT FabLabs use.

Induction furnace

In development

Waterjet cutter

To attach to the RepTab

Multimeter / Computer oscilloscope

http://www.opencircuits.com/Oscilloscope#PC_Oscilloscopes