My first idea was to build an “adaptive pot stand” which means a pot stand that moves on wheels and, by interacting with the environment, finds the optimal position for the plant. I progressed on this project up to the stand fabrication (see lecture 7 - Computer controlled machining).
Then, in march, while discussing with my tutor, Enrico Bassi, and Sabina Barcucci of Opendot (Fab Academy student 2015), I learned about an extremely compelling project, where Sabina is directly involved. The Expedition Lab project. The project aim is to develop an easily transportable set of laboratory equipment that can be used to conduct DNA sequencing directly in the field.
The consequences are important: cutting down times and logistics costs, improve collaboration between local and foreign researchers, limit the collection of museum species, strengthen the fight of illegal trade of endangered species.
Though a first successful expedition took place in Tanzania last year, there is still work to be done to come up with an optimal set of tools. A project called Gene is currently addressing this issue.
I was fascinated by the possibility to contribute to this project during the Fab Academy and I found one of its sub-projects, developing a transportable cooler and freezer, particularly suitable for the Academy final project.
I didn’t think twice. I went to meet Ana Rodriguez Prieto, postdoctoral researcher in Tropical Biodiversity at the science museum of Trento, Italy:
She's an active member of the Gene project and gave me an enthusiastic and detailed overview of their plan. It did't take me long to make the switch.
PS I left the the pot stand presentation at the end of the current section (First idea).
The Final project: Gene Freezz
Project Objective: build the prototype of a portable cooler, with an embedded freezer, to support DANA barcoding activities in the field.
Project, charter
Introduction
The Gene project (www.expeditionlab.bio/) addresses the fabrication, with an open-source approach, of a modular transportable PCR kit to perform DNA barcoding on the field.It can be divided in the following sub-projects, where each piece of equipment is addressed:
Thermocycler / Drybath
Portable refrigerator (cooler)
Portable freezer
Fluorometer
Mixer
Batteries
Cases
Whereas a solution to sub-projects 1, 4, 5, 6 has currently been found, not necessarily on an open-source basis, Gene Freezz project addresses sub-projects 2 and 3, where little can be found in the open-bio ecosystem. And since the focus of the Gene project is on reducing as much as possible costs, weights and energy consumption, it would be really interesting to investigate the possibility of having a single refrigerating body instead of two. Moreover, it may also be possible to find a configuration which has an impact on the Thermocycler/Drybath concept. In fact, heat energy from cooling could profitably be used in the heating process if available at the right temperature.
In the following document I summarize, in a visual way, the status of the open source equipment for each process step. Moreover, I make a comparison between the traditional lab and the Gene project approaches. DNA barcoding equipment overview
This is a conceptual draft of the initial Gene project outcome.
Project Scope (the project should deliver all that is described within its scope)
Freezer - Cooler prototypes working in the right temperature range.
Out of scope activities
Freezer - Cooler size and design optimisation.
The other sub-projects.
Project Deliverables (tangible or intangible assets created by the project)
Thermoelectric (TE) assemblies (x2) with hot sink heat evacuation fans (x2) for freezer and cooler;
Insulated Freezer - Cooler box with cover;
Air circulation fans (x2) for freezer and cooler;
Input devices: temperature sensors: TE cold side, TE hot side, ambient, freezer, cooler, heat sink, freezer internal/external wall, cooler internal/external wall;
Output devices:
TE devices (Peltier elements);
Case fans (point C.)
LCDs for temperature readings:external, freezer, cooler;
Control box with relevant electronics:
PCBs
TE devices voltage control;
Case fans control;
Absolute temperatures readings;
LCD control;
Panel switchboard with
On/off switch;
Warning lights (green ok, red temperature out of range): freezer, cooler;
Temperature application interface;
12 V power supply;
The project will rely on the following topics of the Fab Academy program:
CAD: general and detailed design;
Computer controlled cutting / machining: boxes and molds;
3D printing: cover locks and hinges
Molding & castings: TE assembly with conduction/convection elements
Electronics production/design: PCBs
Embedded programming: boards programming
Input/output devices: temperature sensors, LCDs, Peltier devices, case fans (DC motors);
Composites: boxes internal watertight covering
Networking and communications: control board ↔ freezer board ↔ cooler board;
Interfaces and application programming: temperature application interface.
I love living things, be they animals or plants. And I really enjoy taking good care of them. A passion I share with many people.
I am also fascinated by the intelligence of nature and the ability of life to adapt and react to the environment.
In some cases, though, we force our “pets” in situation which are not natural, which are difficult to cope with. We only leave them a single way out: to rely entirely on us.
In an apartment, though, we do not have many levers to act upon. Take, for example, a potted plant. Light is sometimes insufficient or not available for the required time. Ambient temperature fluctuates (heating elements, air currents) or does not follow a seasonal cycle. Ambient moisture is rarely at the right value, especially in winter. Water tends to be too much or too little and the limited size of the pot does not buffers these fluctuations.
Certainly, choosing the right plant for a given location in the house might avoid fatal outcomes.
But here is the idea:
An adaptive pot stand.
This is something I would really need myself.
Moreover, market pot stands are seldom nice looking, though usually expensive for just three or four legs with a base plate. There we go. A nice looking pot stand, reasonably priced. Last but not least, this idea certainly meets the requirements of the final project, giving the possibility to creatively practice the different skills discovered during the Academy.
Market study
Indoor gardening is a very common hobby. Looking at charts in Google Trends we see a steady interest in topics such as Indoor plants or indoor garden.
Surprisingly, there seem to be a steady interest also in the key word “Plant Stand” and in related forms, like “DIY Plant Stand”, “Plant Stand IKEA”, “Modern Plant Stand”.
Nevertheless, I could not find anything about fully integrated plant stands, that is, stylish stand + monitoring system + active system for light, ambient moisture, ambient temperature, water + motion.
Project charter
The project charter summarizes key project data:
Project name: Grass, the adaptive pot stand
Project objectives:
Build a modular pot stand for indoor plants that reacts to changes in the plant microclimate to recover optimum conditions. The system may also be used without a plant to assess appropriate ambient conditions.
Project Scope (the project should deliver all that is included within its scope):
Modular stand to adjust to desired height;
The system reacts to ambient light variations (key factor). The system should consider seasonal requirements. If it cannot adapt sends warning:
amount (position from window - windows orientation S,E,O,N) → finds correct position within set area;
exposure time (>or < 12 h) → turns on interior or artificial light (arm with fluorescent bulb and timer powered by solar cell) or shuts light off;
direction → rotates at time intervals;
The system reacts to ambient ambient temperature variations, according to growth cycle (hot, warm, fresh, cold):
absolute and differential temperature readings → moves away from bad spots within a set area or triggers opening of greenhouse balloon; if it cannot adapt sends warning;
The system reacts to ambient moisture (relative humidity) variations:
triggers opening of greenhouse balloon; if it cannot adapt sends alert; stops air currents;
The system reacts to water level (pot weight), water requirements should vary depending on ambient conditions and seasonality;
The system records the time spent in the same pot. Sends alert after a set period;;
The system can perform ambient check over a period of time;
The system has a database of plants and their optimum conditions;
Out of Scope Activities
Fertilizer level control;
Project Deliverables (tangible and intangible assets created by the project
Modular wooden stand with height modules and cables rod;
Driven wheels chassis with servomotor and gear box;
Electronics
Multiple set of sensors: light (directional), moisture, soil temperature, room temperature (directional), water level (load cell);
Warning lights and sound alarms for off-line communication;
Electronic board for comparing input signals (sensors) and reference data (database) and triggering actions: output signals to light switches (artificial light, internal light, warning lights), sound alarms, base motor, greenhouse trigger);
Communication system
WiFi and mobile network communication system;
Mobile App (Android);
Foldable greenhouse balloon;
Artificial light;
Budget
Timeframe
Estimated Project Completion date: June 22, 2016
Major Milestones
Kick off: January 27, 2016
Manual prorotype: March 23, 2016
Automated prototype: May 4, 2016
Finished prototype: May 25, 2016
Final project proposal: May 25, 2016
Final prototype: June 22, 2016
Sketch
Pot stand behaviour when ambient conditions change
Ambient conditions OK
Too direct sunlight, ambient hot
Ambient humidity too low
Ambient light too low
Pot soil dry, pot weight low
Plan
Gantt Chart
The plan was developed considering the schedule of the weekly assignements and of the manufacturing of the individual elements that are part of the system (see below the system exploded view). Moreover, milestones were created taking into account a "spiral" project development.
Task color legend: orange=lecture assignements, green=final project, orange with design=assignements and project tasks coincide
