scholarly journals Enhancing multi-bioreactor platforms for automated measurements and reactive experiment control

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Bertaux ◽  
Sebastián Sosa Carrillo ◽  
Achille Fraisse ◽  
Chetan Aditya ◽  
Mariela Furstenheim ◽  
...  

AbstractNew small-scale, low-cost bioreactor designs provide researchers with exquisite control of environmental parameters of microbial cultures over long durations, allowing them to perform sophisticated, high-quality experiments that are particularly useful in systems biology, synthetic biology and bioengineering. However, existing setups are limited in their automated measurement capabilities, primarily because sensitive and specific measurements require bulky, expensive, stand-alone instruments (for example, most single-cell resolved measurements require a cytometer or a microscope). We present here ReacSight, a generic and flexible strategy to enhance multi-bioreactor platforms for automated measurements and reactive experiment control. We use ReacSight to assemble a platform for single-cell resolved characterization and reactive optogenetic control of parallel yeast continuous cultures. We demonstrate its usefulness by achieving parallel real-time control of gene expression with light in different bioreactors and by exploring the relationship between fitness, nutrient scarcity and cellular stress density using highly-controlled and informative competition assays.

Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 3405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Espinosa-Gavira ◽  
Agustín Agüera-Pérez ◽  
Juan González de la Rosa ◽  
José Palomares-Salas ◽  
José Sierra-Fernández

Very short-term solar forecasts are gaining interest for their application on real-time control of photovoltaic systems. These forecasts are intimately related to the cloud motion that produce variations of the irradiance field on scales of seconds and meters, thus particularly impacting in small photovoltaic systems. Very short-term forecast models must be supported by updated information of the local irradiance field, and solar sensor networks are positioning as the more direct way to obtain these data. The development of solar sensor networks adapted to small-scale systems as microgrids is subject to specific requirements: high updating frequency, high density of measurement points and low investment. This paper proposes a wireless sensor network able to provide snapshots of the irradiance field with an updating frequency of 2 Hz. The network comprised 16 motes regularly distributed over an area of 15 m × 15 m (4 motes × 4 motes, minimum intersensor distance of 5 m). The irradiance values were estimated from illuminance measurements acquired by lux-meters in the network motes. The estimated irradiances were validated with measurements of a secondary standard pyranometer obtaining a mean absolute error of 24.4 W/m 2 and a standard deviation of 36.1 W/m 2 . The network was able to capture the cloud motion and the main features of the irradiance field even with the reduced dimensions of the monitoring area. These results and the low-cost of the measurement devices indicate that this concept of solar sensor networks would be appropriate not only for photovoltaic plants in the range of MW, but also for smaller systems such as the ones installed in microgrids.


Author(s):  
Daniel J. Block ◽  
Mark B. Michelotti ◽  
Ramavarapu S. Sreenivas

AbstractThis paper describes the development of an embedded system whose purpose is to control the Novint Falcon as a robot, and to develop a control experiment that demonstrates the use the Novint Falcon as a robotic actuator. The Novint Falcon, which is a PC input device, is “haptic” in the sense that it has a force feedback component. Its relatively low cost compared with other platforms makes it a good candidate for academic application in robot modeling and control. An embedded system is developed to interface with the multiple motors and sensors present in the Novint Falcon, which is subsequently used to control three independent Novint Falcons for a “ballon- plate” experiment. The results show that the device is a viable solution for high-speed actuation of small-scale mechanical systems.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 280-304
Author(s):  
Rajat Gupta ◽  
Alastair Howard ◽  
Sahar Zahiri

This paper uses a case study-based approach to empirically investigate the relationship between indoor environment and workplace productivity in two contrasting office environments: one naturally ventilated, the other mechanically ventilated. Environmental parameters were continuously monitored over 19 months. Transverse and longitudinal surveys recorded occupants’ perception of their working environment and self-reported productivity, while performance tasks (numerical and proofreading) measured cognitive capability as proxy for measured productivity. Indoor temperatures and CO2 concentrations were found to be higher and more variable in the naturally ventilated office. However, the correlation between occupant perception of their indoor environment and perceived productivity was stronger in the mechanically ventilated office. Occupants of the naturally ventilated office were found to be more tolerant of their environment than their counterparts in the mechanically ventilated office. Task performance was affected by indoor environmental conditions such as indoor temperature and CO2 concentration. Interestingly in the naturally ventilated office, the median scores were up to 12% higher for tests conducted at CO2 concentrations <1400 ppm, compared to those conducted above 1400 ppm, whereas in the mechanically ventilated office, this threshold was only 1000 ppm. The study showed that higher concentrations of CO2 were associated with lower task scores and longer task durations, reinforcing the need for good levels of ventilation in workspaces. It was found that occupants in NV workspaces were able to adapt to a broader range of environmental conditions. Therefore, controlling the indoor environment within narrow ranges (expending significant amounts of energy in the process) may not always be necessary to improve comfort and productivity. On the other hand, controlling indoor environment within a narrow range – as is common in MV workspaces – may be counterproductive, creating occupants who are less tolerant of small changes in their environmental conditions. The study also demonstrates occupant surveys can provide useful feedback on perceived comfort and productivity at relatively low cost. Insights from such surveys can be used to improve indoor environment in workspaces.


2010 ◽  
pp. 338-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
JANNIS UHLENDORF ◽  
SAMUEL BOTTANI ◽  
FRANÇOIS FAGES ◽  
PASCAL HERSEN ◽  
GREGORY BATT

1986 ◽  
Vol 19 (13) ◽  
pp. 113-117
Author(s):  
J.J. Serrano ◽  
C. Cebrián ◽  
J. Vila ◽  
R. Ors

Leonardo ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byron Lahey ◽  
Winslow Burleson ◽  
Elizabeth Streb

Translation is a multimedia dance performed on a vertical wall filled with the projected image of a lunar surface. Pendaphonics is a low-cost, versatile, and robust motion-sensing hardware-software system integrated with the rigging of Translation to detect the dancers' motion and provide real-time control of the virtual moonscape. Replacing remotely triggered manual cues with high-resolution, real-time control by the performers expands the expressive range and ensures synchronization of feedback with the performers' movements. This project is the first application of an ongoing collaboration between the Motivational Environments Research Group at Arizona State University (ASU) and STREB Extreme Action Company.


Author(s):  
Ryan W. Krauss

Arduino microcontrollers are popular, low-cost, easy-to-program, and have an active user community. This paper seeks to quantitatively assess whether or not Arduinos are a good fit for real-time feedback control experiments and controls education. Bode plots and serial echo tests are used to assess the use of Arduinos in two scenarios: a prototyping mode that involves bidirectional real-time serial communication with a PC and a hybrid mode that streams data in real-time over serial. The closed-loop performance with the Arduino is comparable to that of another more complicated and more expensive microcontroller for the plant considered. Some practical tips on using an Arduino for real-time feedback control are also given.


Author(s):  
Daniel Banks ◽  
Jos van ’t Hoff ◽  
Kenneth Doherty

An Oscillating Wave Surge Converter (OWSC) is a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) that consists of a bottom-hinged flap which oscillates due to wave action. Extensive research has been performed on this type of WEC through small scale experimental wave tank tests. One of the key challenges of experimental testing is replicating the characteristics of the Power Take-Off (PTO) system of the equivalent full scale WEC. Many scale models rely on simplified mechanical designs to simulate a PTO system. This can often restrict the experimental research into the influence of PTO design and control strategies of WECs. In order to model PTO systems and control strategies more accurately other tools are needed. This paper describes the design and build of a PLC controlled Force Feedback Dynamometer (FFD) system that enables the testing of more sophisticated control strategies applicable to an OWSC through fast application of a variable PTO damping torque. A PLC system is shown to be a viable control for PTO strategy investigations through velocity triggered damping levels. Examples of both PTO and position control strategies are presented.


Author(s):  
Mahmood Mahmoodi Nesheli ◽  
Avishai (Avi) Ceder

Modern public transport (PT) operations have evolved into a complex multimodal system in which small-scale disorder can propagate. Large-scale disruptions to passengers and PT agencies result. Various studies have been developed to model PT control at the operational level; however, the main downside of possible real-time control actions is the lack of intelligent modeling and a systematic process that can activate such actions immediately. This study presents a real-time control procedure to increase service reliability and to improve successful coordinated transfers in a complex PT system. The developed method aims at minimizing total travel time for passengers and reducing the uncertainty of meetings between PT vehicles. A library of operational tactics is first built to serve as a basis of the real-time decision-making process. The methodology developed is applied to a real-life case study in Auckland, New Zealand. The results showed improvements in system performance and confirmed the use of real-time control actions to maintain reliable PT service.


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