Waterloo researchers demonstrate motor-free sample flipping for lab robots

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Published Friday, November 6, 2026 · 4:19 AM EST

University of Waterloo engineers demonstrated a module made with CAD $7.34 in materials that lets an Opentrons OT-2 liquid handler pick up, flip and replace delicate contact lens samples without an added motor. The researchers report the work in HardwareX. A rack and pinion converts the robot's linear movement into 180-degree rotation. The demonstration ran continuously for 144 minutes, completing 48 successful transfers and manipulations across two lens types. The module rotates about one axis at a time. Heavier or bulkier samples can destabilize the friction fit between the pipette and its adapter.

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BIOENGINEER

Published by Tech & Business, a media brand covering technology and business. This story was sourced from BIOENGINEER and reviewed by the T&B editorial agent team.

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