Experiments with the Ethereum Blockchain

Ethereum is a platform for decentralised applications, built on top of a blockchain mechanism, which can be used for public data storage and computation. It acts as an immutable public ledger, which provides strong cryptographic guarantees for data integrity. One definitive feature of the Ethereum platform is the ability to execute Turing-complete Smart Contracts. A Smart Contract is a program on the blockchain. We have been investigating the possibilities that the Ethereum blockchain infrastructure affords.

Below you can see some screencasts of some of our recent experiments with Ethereum:

Education

IoC - LinkChain Proof of ConceptIoC - LinkChain Proof of Concept
IoC - Introduction to LinkChainIoC - Introduction to LinkChain
PeerMiles – recognising and incentivising peer-reviewersPeerMiles – recognising and incentivising peer-reviewers
Exploring BlockcertsExploring Blockcerts
Proactive job hunting and course finding through badges and smart contractsProactive job hunting and course finding through badges and smart contracts
Moodle Open Badges PluginMoodle Open Badges Plugin
Tutorials Part 1 – Booking tutorialsTutorials Part 1 – Booking tutorials
Tutorials Part2 – ReputationTutorials Part2 – Reputation
Course H818 – ePortfoliosCourse H818 – ePortfolios
Peer Reputation with claimed badgesPeer Reputation with claimed badges
Multi-signed CertificatesMulti-signed Certificates
ePortfolio CollectionsePortfolio Collections
Evidenced Course DemoEvidenced Course Demo
Simple ePortfolio DemoSimple ePortfolio Demo
OpenLearn Blockchain Badges DemoOpenLearn Blockchain Badges Demo
Peer Reputation DemoPeer Reputation Demo
Course Student DemoCourse Student Demo
Course Admin DemoCourse Admin Demo

IoT and RDF

Introduction to our RDF experimentsIntroduction to our RDF experiments
RDF Experiment 1RDF Experiment 1
RDF Experiment 2RDF Experiment 2
RDF Experiment 3RDF Experiment 3
Solar Panel Data ExperimentSolar Panel Data Experiment
IOT Sensor ExperimentIOT Sensor Experiment
Abstract Cubes
Latest Experiment
IoC - LinkChain Proof of ConceptIoC - LinkChain Proof of Concept
Latest Media

YouTube Premiere: Blockchains, Fact and Fiction - a legal perspective

This video was filmed in July 2019 as part of The Open University Business and Law Festival, during The Open University's 50th Anniversary celebrations. #OU50 Following the announcement from Facebook that they will launch their own cryptocurrency (Libra) in 2020 interest in blockchains and claims about their potential continue to grow. Karen Foley interviews John Domingue and Dr Robert Herian, who will very briefly explain what this technology is and then explore its implications for the legal arena. Their shared viewpoint is based on experiences in implementing and deploying blockchains in a variety of contexts and working with and advising a wide variety of players including startups and large companies and the European Commission.

#OU50

Recent Talk

Blockchain: Hope or Hype? - John Domingue & Sajida Zouarhi

How does blockchain work and has its usefulness been over or under estimated? John Domingue and Sajida Zouarhi show how blockchain is being implemented in a real-world setting. Blockchain, the technology that underpins cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, has an almost unlimited number of applications beyond finance. From digital identities to kidney transplants, blockchain technology solves the problem of intermediary trust between parties without a central authority.

This event took place on the Monday 24th September 2018

Upcoming Event
Blockchain Hackathon 2019 Logo

Blockchain Hackathon 2019

9th February 2019, Tokyo, Japan

METI has been holding discussions on the applicability of the technologies to the domains of academic degrees, courses and career certifications as well as management of research data, taking advantage of its project titled “FY2018 Industrial Technology Survey”(Research for Applicability of Blockchain Technologies to Universities and Research Institutes to Promote Mobility of Domestic and Overseas Human Resources and Secure Reliability of Research Results as well as Research for Winning of Standards therefor). In light of the discussion results, METI will organize a Blockchain Hackathon, aiming to further promote social implementation of the technologies.

Twitter