1.The fermentation bottle

Figure 1: hardware1

1.1 Overview

When you think about a fermentation device, what first comes up to your mind? A giant tank with luxury devices? A heavy bottle that is hardly portable? How can we make a fermentation device both portable and helpful? Our team has provided a special fermentation bottle as a possible solution.

What makes our bottle special is its smart combination of the fermentation chamber and the storage chamber. Once the fermentation finishes, by simply turning the bottle upside down, the product could go across the filter and move into the storage chamber, without yeast in it. The specially designed filter, is also a vital role in this device.

1.2 Features

The fermentation bottle is an assemblage of several components. Each one of them serves one or more different purposes.

1.2.1 The Bottom

The bottom of the bottle is dismountable. It helps package the electrics. The body is solid and concave to ensure stability.

Figure 2: hardware2

1.2.2 The Electrics and the fermentation chamber

Figure 3: hardware3

The electric part includes a 3V battery, an air pump, and a motor. Both the motor and the pump are powered at 3V and have shown stable performance during fermentation. Two holes run through between the electrics and the fermentation chamber, one for ventilation, the other for placing the axle of the motor. A third hole is placed on the wall of the electrics, linking to the air-intake side of the pump.

Four dam-boards are erected inside the chamber to prevent the formation of vortex flow in the center of the liquid surface, and to enhance turbulence and oxygen dissolving at the same time.

1.2.3 Straight blade turbine agitator

Figure 4: hardware4

We choose a single straight blade agitator to create radial flow, which enhances the dissolution of oxygen. At the same time, the agitator suits for a wide range of viscosity.

1.2.4 The filter

Figure 5: hardware5

Three layers make up the filter body. The bottom layer is designed with mashes to support the biofilm and is assembled on the top of the fermentation chamber. The mid-layer, which is also designed with mashes, lays on the bottom layer. The top layer combines the mid and the bottom layer into a whole, stabling the assembling. The filter biofilm, which prevents the bacteria from going into the reaction chamber, is sandwiched between the bottom and the top layer.

To enhance the liquid resistance of the complex structure of the layers, three ring grooves are specially designed, two are on both sides of the bottom later, one is in the top layer. While assembling, cushions should be placed into these grooves to prevent the liquid from leaking out.

1.2.5 The reaction chamber and the cap

Figure 6: hardware6

The reaction chamber is where the enzyme accelerates the production of the pigments. Above the reaction chamber is the cap. The cap is concave with a waterproof air vent valve attached to it. The valve helps to maintain the pressure inside the bottle. The concave ensures stability while the bottom is placed upside down.

2. The Dyeing Comb

2.1 Overview

To attain the integrity of our dyeing product, we've also designed a dyeing comb to accompany the fermentation bottle. The bottle and the comb could provide users with a package of tools to firstly produce the pigments and then dye their hair totally on their own.

2.2 Features

2.2.1 The brush

Figure 7: hardware7

The brush of the hair is designed in classic style. It has ten functional thorns, each of which has a tunnel inside it to transport the dyeing cream. Through experimental tests, the output of the cream is even and stable.

To squeeze out the cream, users need to push on the top of the brush.

2.2.2 The Container

Figure 8: hardware8

The container is removable to make union dyeing possible. Users could use different containers to hold different pigments and change the kind of pigments while dyeing. Our removable containers also make it easy for users to choose to only buy the pigments they like.

2.2.3 The Shell

Figure 9: hardware9

The shell outside the container helps our users grab and use the dyeing comb comfortably. Its shape is to some extent admirable enough to decorate your room.

3. Fermentation Bottle Instructions

Material Preparation

The fermentation bottle components;

Biofilm Filter (0.5um~3um, radius = 47.1±0.1mm);

Reaction Solution (1mol/L phosphate buffer 100mL/L, 10×YNB 100mL/L, 500×B(Biotin) 2mL/L, 10×M(Methanol) 50mL/L) ;

Yeast (Pichia pastoris GS115).

Steps

Step1: Assemble the filter

(You need: The Biofilm filter, the top, mid && bottom layer of the filter)

Place the biofilm filter onto the bottom layer, then sandwich it with the mid-layer. After that, crew the top layer on them. Be as tight as possible.

Step2: Add the yeast

(You need: Yeast (Pichia pastoris GS115))

Add the yeast you've prepared into the fermentation chamber.

Step3: Assemble the fermentation chamber

(You need: The fermentation chamber and the electrical component)

Crew the assembled filter onto the fermentation chamber.

Step4: Add the reaction solution

(You need: The reaction solution)

Pour the solution into the fermentation chamber through the filter. Stop pouring when the liquid level reaches just above the filter.

Step5: Assemble the reaction chamber and the cap

(You need: The reaction chamber, the cap)

Crew the reaction chamber on the top of the filter, then crew up the cap.

Step6: Start fermentation

Turn on the switch, let fermentation start.

Step7: Filter the product

Keep the switch on and turn the bottle upside down, wait and let the product leak into the reaction chamber.

Step8: Get your product

Turn off the switch. Twist the filter off the reaction chamber, and you will see your final product(Of course without yeasts in it)

(Note: The time of fermentation is determined by the amount of the yeast, the room temperature, and other factors. As a result, the concrete time of steps isn't given in this instruction.)

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