We applied synthetic biology to develop a microalgae purification system efficiently removing CO2 and VOCs. Furthermore, we innovated two devices and one mobile app to enhance the system’s functionality. Our hardware can address problems in synthetic biology with our special design.

Q1. Does the hardware improve the operational and performance efficiency of the system?
The design involves nano bubble disk and mini pump that can efficiently improve the absorption of CO2 of our algae, making our product efficient enough to compete with other methods and eco-friendly as well.

Q2. Do users utilize the hardware to test the system? And what do we learn from users’ feedback?
We conducted the user testing, gaining a good experiment data and encouraging feedback. While ten people in one room, our product can lengthen the period of CO2 ppm raising from 700 to 1000 1.7 times longer than normal. Also, the feedback from users indicated the difficulty to carry out our product due to the risk of spreading the algae, which helped us revise our disadvantages.

Q3. What can we share in learning from developing the hardware to address problems in synthetic biology?
Our hardware used some unique skills and structures, which we can share with other teams. For instance, we utilize a special triple-deck top design to store all the sensors, motors and control board. Moreover, we also developed an app, which can help us controlled our device remotely, which can make the experiments in the future go smoothly.

Q4. What the prospect do we have to improve our system?
We are going to invent CAir Pill™ in the future, which is able to slowly release enzymes into the system at a constant speed and quantitative. That enables to extend the use time and maintains the best performance.

CAir™

DESIGN CONCEPT

In order to make our experiments go smoothly, we designed a small device to test the effect of CA and CYP2E1, which were produced in our lab. Algae can be placed in the device, and we have also designed some components to allow the algae to grow in the most suitable environment. The following is an introduction of the detailed construction of the device:

CAir™ uses three C size batteries (or one 9v battery) to provide sufficient power for the Air pump and LED lights. First, the Air pump forms a small air bubbles with Mini Bubble Disk through the air containing high concentrations of carbon dioxide and VOCs, thereby increasing the contact area and pumped into the Algae containing CA and CYP2E1. Because of the bright LED lights around, the algae will continue to work in photosynthesis, coupled with the role of CA and CYP2E1, allowing algae to efficiently reduce the amount of these pollutants and release clean air.

When using CAir™, the Extension Stand can be erected for Fresh Air out. As for the Extension Stand, you can put it upside down to save space. The O-ring above the Extension Stand is an important part of CAir™. It can be used to prevent the algae inside from dripping out during storage, making it easier to carry.

DESIGN I

For the 3D design of CAir™, we used the software package SoildWorks. We decided to use SolidWorks, as it is extremely intuitive for beginners. It's closer to the software used in real industrial design, and it offers more features. The first design was quite simple. We just designed a groove to place the structure above into the structure below.

The problems & user feedback

This over simplified design makes it very inconvenient when we take it. First of all, we can't hold the top structure when we take it, otherwise it will separate from lower structures. Secondly, this design will make the algae inside spread easily, making it very inconvenient to carry. So we decided to go back to the drawing board to work on design 2.

DESIGN II

After the initial testing of the water leakage volume of design 2, the average water leakage at the angle of maximum leakage is 1.3ml / sec(It's 12% of design 1, but still not sufficient), we returned to the literature, seeking instruction on how to adapt the design to decrease water leakage.

Design consultant

After discussion with engineer Huang, Cheng-Yi who work at FabLab in Mingdao High School, he advised us to design CAir™ with much clearer direction. For example, in order to further increase the convenience of taking, we add a latch design.

The problems & user feedback

We also decided to add O-ring to reduce the possibility of water spillage. However, after the trial, we found that the water still leaked out, and the biggest problem is that the O-ring does not fit very tightly with the upper and lower structures, so the water will flow out through the small gap between them.

DESIGN III

Design consultant

We again asked engineer Mr. Huang to discuss, he suggested that we try with the thread because the thread can gradually increase the adhesion between the upper and lower structure and the O-ring, so that the water is less likely to leak out.

The problems & user feedback

In the final experiment, we succeeded in making it with almost no water leaking.This make CAir Pro™ more portable comparing to CAir.

DESIGN SPEC