Living Corps
Dr. Aaron K Livingston, Ph.D.
Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon
We use unique home-built instrumentation to study photosynthetic energy production. Below you will see all the projects completed and soon you will see do-it-yourself plans to build your own. We only ask that you share your machines and data with everyone.
Currently, my research is focused on electron sharing between the mitochondria and chloroplast. The interaction between the chloroplast and mitochondria is important in energy balancing (consumption and production of NADPH and ATP).
Understanding these interactions will help us to create better "adapted" species for alternative fuel production (i.e. more hydrogen per chlamydomonas)
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Gromit is an Arduino Uno controlled mini-photobioreactor that is ran by LabView. A photobioreactor is a closed system where we can grow algae. These photobioreactors let us control intensity (brightness), wavelength (color) and rhythm (day/night cycles) of the growth lights. These photobioreactors also allow us to continuously monitor growth and temperature.
Here is the arduino which controls the lights, collects data and sends it back to the computer.
Side view of arduino box, usb connector to the computer and 5v power supply.
Here is the arduino which controls the lights, collects data and sends it back to the computer.
Mini Photobioreactor Gromit.2
Large Photobioreactor Goliath
Golith is a Arduino Mega Labview run photobioreactor. It grows large amounts of sample (~ 1 liter per tube/4 liter total) for mitochondria/chloroplast extraction. Each tube is independently controlled for wavelength, time and intensity of light. Each tube sends back data on growth and temperature.
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Cuvette holder in center. Light source to left. Arduino uno closest to screen runs program and collects data. Far from screen detector for fluorescence and on right detector for ECSt.
15 pin connector to arduino, power and computer
Note small size of PAM
Cuvette holder in center. Light source to left. Arduino uno closest to screen runs program and collects data. Far from screen detector for fluorescence and on right detector for ECSt.
Pulse-Amplified-Modified fluorometer with Electrochromic Shift (ECSt) capability.
PAM Fluorometer Ph
Each tube surrounds a central light bar. Each side of the bar is independently controlled.
Notice the air lift mixing the samples. Four tubes are wrapped around a single light pole.
In the center, pump control circuits. 4 water pumps that take samples from the tubes and run them into minispecs mounted on the side of the box. The minispecs contain a red led and an opt101 to help monitor growth.
Each tube surrounds a central light bar. Each side of the bar is independently controlled.
Livingston Research
Simple Photobioreactor Sunny
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A solar powered photobioreactor. Designed to be completely energy neutral.
Mini Photobioreactor Gromit.1
First version of Gromit. The tubes are hard to remove and clean. The angle of the tubes caused algae to pool at the bottom.
SAMPLE Photo
Real Photos Soon