The [Pelling Lab] have been iterating over their DIY CO2 incubator for a while now, and it looks like there’s a new version in the works.
We’ve covered open source Biolab equipment before including incubators but not a CO2 incubator. Incubators allow you to control the temperature and atmosphere in a chamber. The incubator built by the [Pelling Lab] regulates the chambers temperature and CO2 levels allowing them to culture cells under optimal conditions.
While commercial incubators can cost thousands of dollars the [Pelling Lab] used a Styrofoam box, space blanket, and SodaStream tank among other low cost parts. The most expensive component was a CO2 sensor which cost $230. The rig uses an Arduino for feedback and control. With a total BOM cost of $350 their solution is cost effective, and provides an open platform for further development.
The original write up is full of useful information, but recent tweets suggest a new and improved version is on the way and we look forward to hearing more about this exciting DIYBio project!
$230 for the co2 sensor is crazy when co2meter.com has them (the NIR sensor) for less than $100
The cheap ones are only able to measure up to 1% of co2 concentration and this project needs to measure around 5%
Also, keep in mind the AU to US dollar exchange rate is about $0.75. Agree with previous poster. I’ve looked into this myself and found the same issue with the cheaper sensors not having the proper range.
This project ended up turning into its own company that produces the open source CO2 incubators, check it out… http://www.incuvers.com/products
Is there an a PDF of the instructions to make a DIY CO2 incubator? The link is broken, likely because they went commercial. Thanks!
https://www.pellinglab.net/post/diy-incubator
Not a PDF, but the link is live. Can’t wait to try this myself!