I agree that more people should be working on some type of crowd-sourced building. A small lab to get started can be built for under $2000. Except for the hydrogen, everything can be purchased from the internet. (The hydrogen can be obtained through a local welding shop, although they should ask a number of safety questions that you should be prepared to answer.)
I have extra 10 gram samples of nickel nano powder available to anyone with a reactor that can use it. For temperature logging, I'd recommend standardizing on the PICO USB TC-08. It is fairly priced, includes free software, and its what DGT uses. (Unless or until Bastian makes his BeagleBone system available!) I wasted too much time on labview and a custom app to record temps and times.. Keep it simple.. I also have some extra 1/2" NPT type-K thermocouples (stainless) that I'd sell at cost.. - Brad
