Team:ZJUT-China/Hardware
Human Practices
iGEM HARDWARE
This is our first generation of equipment, with the advantages of small size, low energy consumption and low cost. However, it is considered that formaldehyde diffuses weakly at lower concentrations, and the first generation device does not have an illumination system. So we made some improvements.
Device Ver 2.0
We designed a reusable and a disposable device, added fan on the basis of the first generation. This speed up air flow and increases work efficiency.
Since this immobilization technology is not yet possible, we have developed a new generation version.
Device Ver 3.0
The biggest feature of this device is that it can be spliced, and each module can be replaced at any time.
Device Ver 3.5
We have added a gas accumulator so that the bacteria are not directly exposed to the air. Some other improvements will be mentioned in Ver 4.0.
Device Ver 4.0
Below is the version 4.0 of the device we designed.
For the problems that have arisen in previous generations, we have added the following sections
1, Gas enrichment device: Allows gas to pass through and enrich, the part is transparent and exposed, and the internal color change can be seen.
2, Stir bar: The bacteria can be evenly stirred to achieve the effect of the shaker
3, The filter membrane: Divided into two sides of the gas enrichment and the sides of the bacteria incubator, can prevent the entry of harmful bacteria in the air, prevent the internal bacteria from being carried out by the air and prevent the bacteria from entering the enrichment device to be exposed to light.
4, Bacteria incubator: A black box with LED, detachable and open, can be added to the strain and medium
5, Adjustment box: Used to regulate PH, reduce the impact of metabolic intermediates formic acid on bacterial growth. It also slowly releases nutrients and prolongs bacterial work time.
6, Control panel: Increased the internal and external formaldehyde concentration
7, Pigment generator: Gives the pigment precursor substance and reacts with the enzyme produced by the bacteria, so it has different colors and can be observed at the gas accumulator.
8, Pump: The device is equipped with air pump and water pump to maintain liquid and gas circulation
9, Plants: We can even use the carbon dioxide produced, planting plants on top
Hope to improve:
1, The whole device sterilization
2, Control the growth of bacteria, so as not to consume too fast
3, The overall is not beautiful
4. The overall cost is high in the early stage of R&D. I hope to find a solution to reduce the cost.
The device we have used
Light control box 2019.8
Four variable resistors are provided for dimming. In this light control box, the light is evenly distributed and is almost immune to external influences.The width is just right to hold the petri dish
Device Ver 1.0 2019.9
This is the first generation bioreactor with a gas inlet and outlet and a pump to circulate the liquid. Considering that the air contains bacteria and the bacteria can't see the light, we separated the bacteria-packed container from the enrichment device and developed a second-generation physical device.
Device Ver 2.0 2019.9
The second generation bioreactor consists of a gas collector, a bioreactor, a water pump, and an air pump. The device in the figure is packed in a transparent large box to test its absorption capacity for formaldehyde. Compared with the previous generation device, the second generation can clearly see the amount of intake air and prevent direct contact of microorganisms with the external environment. Moreover, pigment changes caused by microorganisms can be seen at the enrichment device. The device is also poor in the dark environment of the filter membrane and bioreactor.
Dimmable tube 2019.8
This dimmable tube combines the resistive element with the conical flask and the entire unit can be placed in the incubator. The light is converted by a variable resistor and quantified by illuminance.
We used this device to plot the growth curve of bacteria under light conditions.For details, please click >>Light Control Group<<
