Stanford scientists make $5 chemistry set inspired by a music box

Manu Prakash, an assistant professor in bioengineering at Stanford University, recently won a $50,000 award for developing a simple way to reimagine the chemistry set for the 21st century. By using parts from a music box, Prakash, with the help of graduate student George Korir, was able to create a device that can be programmed to mix precise amounts of chemical fluids in a way that's useful for both students and researchers. Most important, though, is that his prototype can be recreated for just $5.
Prakash and Korir's design relies on the metal pins that pass through punch card paper in order to release chemicals from individuals channels. In the same way the ribbon in a toy music box determines what song is played, punched holes can...
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