# Dimsmary/OpenSTM

A Scanning Tunneling Microscope Project

Repository: https://github.com/Dimsmary/OpenSTM
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/openstm
Language: HTML
License: NOASSERTION
License Family: other
Last push: 2025-05-13T06:38:54+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 32/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-02T17:46:02.011165+00:00)
- activity 21, release rhythm 8, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 1695, "days_push": 477, "days_rel": null, "gap_med": null, "n_releases_24m": 0}
- flags: no_license
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1039, forks 124 (observed 2026-08-28T04:03:19.842881+00:00)

## What it is
OpenSTM is an open-source DIY scanning tunneling microscope (STM) project capable of atomic-scale imaging, demonstrated by resolving carbon atoms in highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). It includes 3D models, PCB designs, ESP32 firmware, and a Python host application, and has been published in the journal HardwareX.

## Use cases
- build a DIY scanning tunneling microscope
- image atoms of HOPG at home
- measure tunneling distance-current curves
- perform scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS)
- learn open-source scientific instrument design
- replicate a published low-cost STM design

## When to choose
- you want a low-cost, documented open-source STM with proven atomic imaging results
- you need complete design files: 3D models, PCBs, firmware, and host software
- you want a design backed by a peer-reviewed HardwareX publication

## When to avoid
- you need a commercial-grade, turnkey microscope with support and calibration guarantees
- you cannot do CNC machining, PCB assembly, or vibration isolation work
- you need fast, high-resolution imaging beyond what a hobbyist STM can achieve

## Facets
- artifact type: application
- maturity: active
- function: embedded, data-visualization, developer-tools
- domain: hardware, simulation, education, developer-tools
- platform: embedded, python, cross-platform
- tags: scanning-tunneling-microscope, open-hardware, esp32, diy-science, atomic-imaging, hopg, pcb-design, hardwarex

## Member repositories
- Dimsmary/OpenSTM (main) score 32

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:03:19.842881+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T07:03:33.169407+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/Dimsmary/OpenSTM (fetched 2026-08-28T04:03:19.842881+00:00, sha 243eb1a3c220)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.