Open-source MRI hardware initiative project
Hello Debian-Med team,
I am a researcher in MRI hardware at the University of Aberdeen,
Scotland. I am currently working on the development of a completely new
type of MRI system (see ffc-mri.org), but I would like to avoid the
traditional route of commercialisation as I see many problems with it.
Instead, I have been thinking for a while of preparing an initiative for
the development of open-source hardware in MRI.
The aim of this initiative would be, in a first stage, to pool the
technical solutions already in the public domain together so as to help
small research labs like mine and, in a second stage, to create a rally
point for these labs to share knowledge, resources and to organise
collective work. If this proves successful, it may expand into a
complete open source MRI hardware platform but that would be in the far
future. I already approached several research groups who expressed their
enthusiasm about this idea so there would be several academic
participants to start with (at least 3, probably 5 to 8), and some of
them are already willing to provide some designs.
I would like to get some advices from the Debian Med community regarding
several aspects:
- What solution would you think is the most appropriate to organise a
community portal? I do not have any IT help from my University on this
project but I am willing to put a bit of my own money to get a server
somewhere if necessary. Bear in mind that I have little training on how
to maintain a website, though I can take some time to learn.
- I know there is an active part of Debian Med that works on MRI
software (and make great things, actually!), would any of them be
interested in this initiative? If yes, what would you expect from it, or
what would you be willing to provide at this stage? Also, would you have
some recommendations so that open-sourced MRI hardware would easily
interface with the already existing open-source software?
- Would you have any suggestions regarding the conduct of such a
project? I have no experience in the management of open source projects
and I am actively looking for documentation about it. In particular, how
can I organise this project so as to avoid bottlenecks in the future?
- Can you see any funding bodies that could be interested in this
initiative, in the short to medium term?
- Do you know of organisations that would be interested to know of this
project or to provide guidance? I already plan to contact OSHWA and the
CERN Open Hardware Repository, but I am sure there would be others who
can help.
- Where can I advertise this project efficiently? I am currently
thinking about FOSDEM, if this sounds reasonable.
That is all for the questions for now. Thanks for taking the time to
read this, and congratulations to you all for the great work you do to
maintain and develop the Debian Med project!
Lionel
The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.
Tha Oilthigh Obar Dheathain na charthannas clàraichte ann an Alba, Àir. SC013683.
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