Develop device to monitor microbial culture biomass in shaking incubator &detect backscattered light

Please make an offer if you have worked in a similar project before and have the related experience! I want to make a prototype to monitor the biomass of microbial cultures (e.g bacteria, yeast) in shaking incubators remotely and in real-time. Growing microbial cultures is a common practice in life sciences research institutions and the biotech industry for different downstream applications (e.g protein expression, microbiological studies, testing antimicrobial agents). Generally, the culture growth in shaking incubation chambers is monitored manually by multiple samplings measured by a benchtop spectrophotometer using 600 nm wavelength. to automate the monitoring of microbial cultures remotely in real-time inside the incubation chamber without the need for manual tracking. The idea is to develop a device to capture the backscattered light by the microorganisms in the culture using a light sensor which is converted to an electrical signal. The signal corresponds to the biomass of the microbial growth in the culture (increase the microbial biomass leads to an increase in the backscattered light, thus the signal). The collected data are processed and visualised via a web-based application using a computer or smartphone. Therefore, it allows remote tracking in real-time and notifies the end-user when the culture reaches the wanted value. This data can be shared for collaboration among researchers. Moreover, this system could use the power of machine learning for pattern recognition and identification of errors. Early detection of errors or abnormalities in an experiment such as contamination or unusual microbial growth pattern, saves a considerable amount of time and gives more control over the experiment outcomes. The device is intended to be used with Erlenmeyer flasks. I should be able to calibrate the collected data with measurements from a bench top spectrophotometer. The microbial culture will be in a constant motion of 200-300 rpm in an incubator under a temperature 15-50C and the media inside the flask will be in a constant motion, so the challenges could be related to: - selection of the light source wavelength. - selection of the light sensor - arrangement of the light source and the light sensor (e.g angle, number, position, distance etc) - how to decrease the ambient light effect (using a specific wavelength light source, filter, etc) - amplifying the signal - decrease the noise from bubbles, shaking effect, external light ...etc - signal processing (as the liquid inside will be in a constant movement the sensor will only measure the biomass when there is media above it which results in fluctuation of the signal) - battery selection - wireless system selection (Bluetooth, wifi) - making it in a compact size to fit under the flask in the flask clamp The main skills required are: - photonics - engineering and mechatronics - programming and data analysis - any relative experience in biology, biochemistry , turbidity, spectroscopy, fermentor, microbial culture is a plus I am looking for a person with a multidisciplinary experience or build a small team of two or three people who can help to accomplish the project. The project deadline is around 2 months more details are attached, illustration figure of the project, figures of sensors already in the market, and similar system but for glass tubes. I can share more papers and articles about the project under request. Thank you all very much!

Optical Engineering Fysik Mechatronics PCB Design and Layout Databehandling

Projekt ID: #29989681

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