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Published on: December 6, 2013
BIO-SPEC: An open-source bench-top parallel bioreactor system
Laurens Parret1, Kenneth Simoens1, Jo De Vrieze2,3
1KU Leuven - Department of Chemical Engineering, Chemical and biochemical Reactor Engineering and Safety (CREaS), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F box 2424, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract:
The BIO-SPEC is an open-source, cost-effective, and modular bench-top bioreactor system designed for batch, sequencing batch, and chemostat cultivation. Featuring thermoelectric condensers to eliminate the need for a chiller, it ensures stable long-term operation. Controlled by a Raspberry Pi, the BIO-SPEC offers flexibility in headplate design, gas supply, and feeding strategies, making it a versatile alternative to high-cost commercial systems. This paper details the design, construction, and validation of the BIO-SPEC system, demonstrating its potential to advance microbiology and bioprocessing research through accessible and reliable hardware at a fraction of the cost of commercial systems.
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