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electroPioreactor

Affordable electrobioreactor

Affordable electrobioreactor

The electroPioreactor builds on the well-established Pioreactor by adding in-culture electrodes and CO₂ sparging, transforming it into an electrobioreactor.

  • In-culture electrodes

    • Generate hydrogen (HOB’s energy source)
    • Generate oxygen (terminal electron acceptor for aerobic respiration)

  • CO₂ sparging

    • Supplies the carbon source for HOB
    • Purges excess oxygen to prevent inhibition of electrolysis

Build an electroPioreactor:

1 - electroPioreactor v0.02.md

v0.02 mixed culture electroPioreactor (MEP0.02)

Bill of Materials

Pioreactor

  1. 1x Pioreactor 20ml v1.1 with Raspberry Pi and Micro SD card, normally configured
  2. 1x Dovetail platform for Raspberry Pi

Electrolysis

  1. Either
    • 1x Platinum plated titanium anode (for MEP0.02Pt – 6mm diameter, 60mm total length, 35mm platinised length), or
    • 1x Graphite anode (for MEP0.02C – 6mm diameter, 60mm total length)
  2. 1x Crocodile clip
  3. 1x Stainless Steel 60mm M4 bolt
  4. 1x Stainless Steel M4 Locking Nut
  5. 1x Ring Crimp Terminal
  6. 1x Pioreactor vial cap with hole for 6mm electrode
  7. 4x Female Dupont Cables: Amazon.co.uk (also needed for CO2 sparging)

CO2 sparging

  1. 1x Sodastream cylinder: Amazon.co.uk (classic blue NOT quick connect pink)
  2. 1x Sodastream holder for Pioreactor
  3. 1x W21.8-14 to TR21-4 adaptor: Amazon.co.uk 1
  4. 1x CO2 Regulator and Solenoid: Amazon.co.uk 2
  5. ~ 20cm 4mm PU tubing: Amazon.co.uk
  6. 2x Check valves: Amazon.co.uk
  7. 1x 3/16" barb male Luer lock: Amazon.co.uk
  8. 1/16" barb Luer Locks - 2x Male: Amazon.co.uk & 2x Female: Amazon.co.uk
  9. ~ 20cm 1/16" ID Silicone tubing: Amazon.co.uk
  10. 1x 2.1mm x 5.5mm Male Barrel Plug: Amazon.co.uk - to connect Raspberry Pi to solenoid with:

Continuous Flow

  1. 2x 12V peristaltic pump
  2. 2x Dovetail peristaltic pump holder
  3. 2x Centrifuge tubes: Amazon.co.uk
  4. 2x Dovetail centrifuge tube holders

Reagents

Optional extras

  1. Spare 20ml glass vials: Amazon.co.uk
  1. 1x 1-5ml Pipettor & tips
  2. 1x Nitrile Gloves: Amazon.co.uk
  3. 1x Spatula: Amazon.co.uk
  4. 1x Weighing Boat: Amazon.co.uk
  5. Jewellers Scales
  6. 1x 1L volumetric flask: Labpals
  7. 1x 1L Reagent Bottle: Labpals
  8. 1x 1L Amber Reagent Bottle: Labpals
  9. 1x 1L Wash Bottle: Labpals
  1. 1x Crimping Pliers: Amazon.co.uk
  2. 1x 150mm Pliers Wrench: Amazon.co.uk
  3. 1x Needle-Nose Pliers: Amazon.co.uk
  4. 1x PH0 Screwdriver: Amazon.co.uk

  1. Could be improved, I got this as it is also a 90° bend, but mine is uncomfortably stiff to adjust ↩︎

  2. Harvey Mudd are currently working on a Pinch Valve that should significantly improve this ↩︎