Temperature Control System for Preparing Reagents
In biological and biomedical research, many reagents are stored at ultra-low temperatures (e.g., –20 °C) to preserve stability, but must be warmed to physiological temperatures (e.g., 37 °C) before use. This process is often performed manually, requiring significant researcher time, careful monitoring, and precise timing to ensure experimental reproducibility.
We aim to develop an automated cooling/heating system capable of precisely controlling reagent temperatures across a range from –20 °C to 37 °C. The system will allow users to program a target temperature and schedule so that solutions are ready at exactly the right time for experiments. This will reduce hands-on preparation time, improve workflow efficiency, and enhance consistency across experiments.
Objectives
Key Technical Requirements:
- Temperature range: –20 °C to 37 °C
- Heating & cooling rates: Optimized to transition between setpoints without overshooting
- User interface: Simple control panel or touchscreen for programming target temperature and time
- Data logging: Real-time monitoring and recording of temperature profiles
- Safety & reliability: Thermal insulation, overheat protection, and fail-safe operation
- Form factor: Compact enough to fit on a standard lab benchtop
Motivations
An automated heating and cooling system that can be programmed to bring reagents from –20 °C to 37 °C on a defined schedule would streamline our experimental setup, reduce hands-on time, and improve reproducibility. This technology would directly support the lab’s mission of producing consistent, high-quality in vitro tissue models, enabling more reliable investigations into the biology of gynecological health and disease.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Coursework in embedded systems or microcontroller programming (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or similar)
- Familiarity with temperature sensing (e.g., thermistors, RTDs, or digital temperature sensors)
- Basic understanding of thermal control systems (heating/cooling elements such as Peltier modules, resistive heaters, or refrigeration units)
- Experience with electronics design and integration (power management, wiring, safety considerations)
- Ability to design and implement a basic user interface (touchscreen, LCD, or computer-based control)
- Proficiency in basic mechanical design and assembly (mounting components, enclosures, insulation)
- Strong troubleshooting and testing skills
None Listed
Details
Project Partner:
Samantha Seymour
NDA/IPA:No Agreement Required
Number Groups:1
Project Status:Accepting Applicants
Website:https://sites.google.com/oregonstate.edu/fogglab/
