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Using Commodity Hardware in Laboratories?

PhysicsTom asks: "I am a Senior Physics student who's final year project is based upon using common, easily available technology to replace parts of the aparatus used in various departmental labs. Currently, my main area of interest is trying to integrate certain computer peripherals (such as scanners and digital cameras) into experiments at an earlier stage, so that images gained from the experiments (such as difraction patterns, etc) can be analysed in a program such as MathCAD straight off, rather than the much less efficient methods we're using at the moment. The problem is that I am having trouble finding out about the way in which scanners and digital cameras work, and how this would affect their accuracy with respect to what I am aiming to do." Basically, how do the various hardware aspects of such devices affect their ability to accurately measure or scan the subject of the experiment?

"The information I am looking for includes things like: the resolution of their grey-scales, what degree of accuracy the motor steps at, how uniformly distributed the CCDs are in the arrays, and other issues that might affect accuracy. Just so that I can know how close to the 'real' picture what I get out of the scanner/camera is. If anyone can tell me all these boring facts for any suchequipment (preferably solutions currently available in the UK) then I would be very appreciative."

3 of 116 comments (clear)

  1. Hm, well, when I was in college... by Wakko+Warner · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...I learned how to make certain things out of easily-available common household items, but I doubt you could put any of them in a thesis.

    - A.P.

    --
    "Remember when the U.S. had a drug problem, and then we declared a War On Drugs, and now you can't buy drugs anymore?"
  2. Sorry by Red+Weasel · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm sorry to inform you but this information is illegal to discuss as it would enable you to use this device as you see fit.

    Please continue to use the equipment as the manufacturer intended but please refrain from learning anything about it or using it for actual work.

    Your friends in peace
    USA

    --
    ..which just shows that the human brain is ill-adapted for thinking and was probably designed for cooling the blood-T P
  3. Did I miss something by ReidMaynard · · Score: 1, Funny

    or does this guy seem way to picky about his PORN SCANS?

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