Team:Calgary/Hardware
Problems
Neocycle is a solution composed of multiple components. From lanthanide detection to recovery, there are multiple areas where optimization can take place. Our modelling team delved into the nanoscale and production aspects of optimization, but we hungered for more. We looked to develop physical project components to build upon the work completed by our wet lab team. After HP, meetings, and a ton of failures, we developed two solutions to infuse our expertise in engineering to bolster the wet lab in their endeavours.
Figure 1. Bioreactor assembly diagram
Figure 2. Biosensor CAD model
Empowering Solutions
To address the need for the sustainable production of genetically engineered E. coli for protein production, we created a prototype for a bioreactor that follows chemical engineering principles of upscaling a bioreactor to avoid the ever-present issue of scalability that haunt iGEM generated bioreactors. This means that our protein producing factories are well fed, and grown in such a way that they educate our upscale plans. This hardware project was made in conjunction with the Wet Lab Metal Recovery Team. For more information on the bioreactor's design and development, click here .
We also developed a low-cost, modular luminometer to measure the concentration of lanthanides extracted from the recovery process. At Neocycle, we believe that recycling materials is an essential activity for a more environmentally sustainable world. In order to reduce the electronic wastes produced by this device, we made sure that the principle of modularity was at the core of our design process. This hardware project was made in conjunction with the Wet Lab Measurement Team. For more information on the biosensor's design and development, click here.
Figure 3. Image showing the prototype for the bioreactor.
Figure 4. Image showing the prototype for the luminometer.
Impact to Project
Our hardware solutions serve as a foundation, and vessels for impact for the work done by wetlab. The bioreactor and biosensor take the biological components and their teams work and give them legs in the world. Lumos takes our measurement protein system from vials and expensive machinery, and allows it to be used in the field where its needed most. Our bioreactor foregoes the arduous growth cycle and addresses it with a portable and efficient scheme. These help Neocycle escape the confines of the lab bench and bring forth their accomplishments to have a real world impact.
