Activating treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms
By expanding the carrier structure, the surface of the culture medium is expanded, and the problem of susceptibility to the external environment is solved, the surface stability and diffusion during microbial growth is achieved, and the microbial activation treatment is promoted.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510377157.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-01
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, the surface of the culture medium is fixed and the microorganisms are easily affected by the external environment during the reproduction process, resulting in changes in morphological properties, which is not conducive to the diffusion and activation of microorganisms.
The expandable carrier structure is adopted to expand the surface by traction of the culture medium, keeping the new surface less affected by environmental factors, and providing a stable diffusion direction.
After the surface of the culture medium is expanded, the new surface is less affected by the environment, maintaining its initial state properties, which is conducive to the growth of microorganisms, and continuously expands during the reproduction process, providing a stable diffusion direction and promoting microorganism activation.
Smart Images

Figure CN120229855A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of microbial activation treatment equipment, and in particular to an activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms. Background Art
[0002] Sludge is a solid waste generated by national production and life, which is found in cities, factories, rivers, lakes and seas. Urban domestic sludge has the largest output, causing serious pollution to land, groundwater and air. The current sludge treatment methods mainly include landfill, incineration, composting, etc. Sludge contains a large amount of organic matter, heavy metals, inorganic salts and microorganisms. If it is not treated, it will cause serious secondary pollution.
[0003] Using microorganisms to treat organic matter contained in sludge is a common technical means at present, which has the advantages of good treatment effect and small side effects;
[0004] Before adding microorganisms to sludge, they usually need to be activated to increase their activity and population. The current treatment method is to add microbial samples to a culture medium under laboratory conditions. The culture medium contains nutrients for the reproduction of microorganisms, allowing the microorganisms to reproduce and activate rapidly, and gradually spread during the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. However, the current culture media are all fixed structures, that is, the surface of the culture medium is fixed and is completely exposed to the outside during the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. It is easy to be affected by the external environment and change its morphological properties, which is not conducive to the reproduction and spread of microorganisms. Summary of the invention
[0005] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms, so as to solve the problem that the surface of the culture medium in the prior art is fixed and completely exposed to the outside during the growth of microorganisms, which is easily affected by the external environment and changes its morphological properties, which is not conducive to the growth and spread of microorganisms.
[0006] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:
[0007] An activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms comprises a culture medium and a carrier for carrying the culture medium. The carrier can expand the culture medium by extending and pulling the culture medium to deform so that the surface of the culture medium expands.
[0008] It is further defined that the carrier includes a first bracket and a second bracket that are overlapped, the first bracket includes a first center block and a plurality of first fixing cards, one end of the plurality of first fixing cards is connected to the first center block, and the other end extends radially outward;
[0009] The second bracket includes a second center block and a plurality of second fixing cards, wherein one end of the plurality of second fixing cards is connected to the second center block and the other end thereof extends radially outward;
[0010] The culture medium is a solid culture medium, and the culture medium includes a plurality of matrix units, and the plurality of matrix units are respectively mounted on a first fixing card and a second fixing card.
[0011] It is further defined that the base unit is a fan-shaped structure with the first central block or the second central block as the center.
[0012] It is further defined that the base unit includes a matrix and a fixing net for matrix assistance, the components of the matrix include nutrients and a binder, and the binder is agar.
[0013] It is further defined that the first center block and the second center block are connected to a first support column and a second support column respectively.
[0014] It is further defined that a positioning column is provided at the center of one side of the first center block facing the second center block, a positioning groove opposite to the positioning column is provided on the second center block, and the positioning column is rotatably connected in the positioning groove.
[0015] It is further defined that the carrier includes a culture dish made of a flexible material and a mounting seat supported at the bottom of the culture dish, a plurality of telescopic support rods are transversely arranged on the mounting seat, and the plurality of telescopic support rods are all connected to the mounting seat with a single degree of freedom sliding connection, and one end of the telescopic support rods faces the center of the mounting seat, and the other end radially extends outward from the mounting seat;
[0016] A plurality of vertical toggle rods opposite to the plurality of telescopic support rods are arranged on the outside of the mounting seat, the middle portion of the vertical toggle rods is rotatably connected to the mounting seat, and the rotation plane and the extension direction of the corresponding telescopic support rod are located on the same plane, the outward end of the telescopic support rod is connected to a pull rod, one end of the pull rod is connected to the outward end of the telescopic support rod, and the other end extends outward, the upper end of the vertical toggle rod is connected to the top edge of the side wall of the culture dish, and the lower end is provided with a strip through hole along the length direction, the end of the pull rod away from the telescopic support rod passes through the strip through hole, and the end is connected to a limiting block;
[0017] An adjustment component is also provided in the mounting seat, and the adjustment component is used to adjust the length of the telescopic support rod.
[0018] It is further defined that the telescopic support rod includes a sleeve and an inner rod, the sleeve is slidably connected with the mounting seat in a single degree of freedom, the inner rod is a threaded rod threadedly engaged in the sleeve, one inner end of the threaded rod extends out of the sleeve and is connected to a driven bevel gear;
[0019] A driving bevel gear is rotatably connected to the mounting seat, and the driving bevel gear is meshed with a plurality of driven bevel gears;
[0020] A support plate is also provided on the mounting seat, the inner rod is rotatably connected to the support plate, and two limit plates are provided on the inner rod, and the two limit blocks are respectively located on both sides of the support plate.
[0021] It is further defined that a base is provided below the mounting seat, a support shaft is connected to the center of the active bevel gear, one end of the support shaft is connected to the active bevel gear, and the other end passes through the mounting seat downward and is connected to the base.
[0022] It is further defined that a plurality of support blocks corresponding to the plurality of toggle rods are provided at the edge of the culture dish, the middle portion of the support block is connected to the upper end of the toggle rod, and a plurality of fixing strips inserted into the side wall of the culture dish are connected to the support block.
[0023] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:
[0024] This is an activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms. The culture medium can be driven to expand its surface through the expansion of the carrier morphology. After the culture medium surface expands, a new surface will be exposed. The new surface is less affected by environmental factors, and the initial state properties of the culture medium are maintained, which is conducive to the growth of microorganisms. Moreover, the device can continue to expand during the reproduction of microorganisms, thereby providing a new diffusion direction with stable state properties during the microbial production process.
[0025] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be described in the following description to some extent, and to some extent, will be obvious to those skilled in the art based on the following examination and study, or can be taught from the practice of the present invention. The objectives and other advantages of the present invention can be realized and obtained through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Figure 1 The three-dimensional structure of the first embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ;
[0027] Figure 2 The three-dimensional structure of the first embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ;
[0028] Figure 3 This is a front view of the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of AA;
[0030] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the matching structure of the first bracket and the second bracket;
[0031] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the matrix unit;
[0032] Figure 7 The three-dimensional structure of the second embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ;
[0033] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Enlarged view of middle B;
[0034] Figure 9 The three-dimensional structure of the second embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ;
[0035] Figure 10 This is a front view of the second embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] Figure 11 for Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the CC;
[0037] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the mounting base;
[0038] In the figure: 1. first center block; 2. first fixing card; 3. second center block; 4. second fixing card; 5. base unit; 6. matrix; 7. fixing net; 8. positioning column; 9. positioning groove; 10. first support column; 11. second support column; 12. culture dish; 13. mounting seat; 14. toggle rod; 15. pull rod; 16. strip through hole; 17. limit block; 18. sleeve; 19. inner rod; 20. driven bevel gear; 21. driving bevel gear; 22. support plate; 23. limit plate; 24. base; 25. support shaft; 26. support block; 27. fixing bar. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.
[0040] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0041] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.
[0042] In the above description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "one side" and "the other side" is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of the invention is customarily placed during use. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention. In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are only used for distinguishing descriptions and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0043] In addition, terms such as "the same" do not mean that the components are required to be absolutely the same, but there may be slight differences. The term "vertical" only means that the positional relationship between components is relatively more vertical compared to "parallel", and does not mean that the structure must be completely vertical, but can be slightly inclined.
[0044] Embodiment 1
[0045] Please refer to Figures 1-6 , the present invention provides a technical solution: an activation treatment device for environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms, including a culture medium and a carrier for carrying the culture medium, and the carrier can cause the culture medium to deform by expansion to expand the surface of the culture medium.
[0046] The carrier is used to carry the culture medium. During the reproduction process of microorganisms, the surface of the culture medium can be expanded by morphological expansion. After the surface of the culture medium is expanded, a new surface will be exposed. The new surface is less affected by environmental factors, maintains the initial state attributes of the culture medium, is beneficial to the growth of microorganisms, and can continue to expand continuously during the reproduction process of microorganisms, providing a new diffusion direction with stable state attributes during the production process of microorganisms.
[0047] In this embodiment, the carrier includes a first bracket and a second bracket arranged in an overlapping manner. The first bracket includes a first central block 1 and a plurality of first fixing cards 2. One end of each of the plurality of first fixing cards 2 is connected to the first central block 1, and the other end extends radially outward;
[0048] The second bracket includes a second central block 3 and a plurality of second fixing cards 4. One end of each of the plurality of second fixing cards 4 is connected to the second central block 3, and the other end extends radially outward;
[0049] The culture medium is a solid culture medium, and the culture medium includes a plurality of matrix units 5, and the plurality of matrix units 5 are respectively installed on the first fixing cards 2 and the second fixing cards 4.
[0050] The first fixing card 2 and the second fixing card 4 are connected to the first central block 1 and the second central block 3 respectively, and the two are initially in an overlapping state, and are both used to fix the culture medium, wherein the culture medium is a solid culture medium, and its specific form is a sheet or a plate, and in the initial state, the culture medium fixed on the first fixing card 2 and the culture medium fixed on the second fixing card 4 are in contact with each other;
[0051] When in use, microorganisms are planted on the surface of the culture medium. As the microorganisms grow, the first central block 1 or the second central block 3 is driven to rotate, that is, the first fixing card 2 and the second fixing card 4 are driven to rotate so that the first fixing card 2 and the second fixing card 4 are staggered, so that the culture media respectively fixed on the first fixing card 2 and the second fixing card 4 are staggered, so that the original overlapping surfaces are exposed to form a new surface.
[0052] In this embodiment, the base unit 5 is a fan-shaped structure with the first central block 1 or the second central block 3 as the center.
[0053] The base is a fan-shaped structure, which makes the overall structure circular, so that it can overlap in the initial state and gradually separate during the rotation process.
[0054] In this embodiment, the base unit 5 includes a matrix 6 and a fixing net 7 for assisting the matrix 6. The components of the matrix 6 include a nutrient and an adhesive, and the adhesive is agar.
[0055] Agar is used as a stabilizer to make the matrix 6 have a fixed shape, and the nutrient can be a single substance or a mixture such as starch and protein powder to provide nutrition for the reproduction of microorganisms.
[0056] In this embodiment, the first central block 1 and the second central block 3 are connected with a first supporting column 10 and a second supporting column 11 respectively.
[0057] The first support column 10 and the second support column 11 are the supporting structures of the first center block 1 and the second center block 3 respectively. By rotating the first support column 10 and the second support column 11 individually or rotating the first support column 10 and the second support column 11 in opposite directions simultaneously, the first fixed card 2 and the second fixed card 4 can be driven to rotate in opposite directions, so as to drive the base units 5 respectively fixed on the first fixed card 2 and the second fixed card 4 to stagger and show a new surface.
[0058] In this embodiment, a positioning column 8 is provided at the center of the first center block 1 facing the second center block 3 , and a positioning groove 9 opposite to the positioning column 8 is provided on the second center block 3 . The positioning column 8 is rotatably connected in the positioning groove 9 .
[0059] The positioning column 8 and the positioning groove 9 cooperate with each other to serve as a rotation support and rotation limit structure for the first center block 1 and the second center block 3, thereby improving the structural stability when the first center block 1 and the second center block 3 rotate relative to each other.
[0060] Example 2
[0061] Please refer to Figures 7-12 , which is different from Example 1 in that: the carrier includes a culture dish 12 made of a flexible material and a mounting base 13 supported at the bottom of the culture dish 12. A plurality of telescopic support rods are horizontally arranged on the mounting base 13. The plurality of telescopic support rods are all slidably connected to the mounting base 13 with a single degree of freedom, and one end faces the center of the mounting base 13, and the other end extends radially outward beyond the mounting base 13;
[0062] A plurality of vertical toggle rods 14 opposite to the plurality of telescopic support rods are arranged on the outer side of the mounting base 13. The middle of the vertical toggle rod 14 is rotatably connected to the mounting base 13, and the rotation plane is in the same plane as the extension direction of the corresponding telescopic support rod. One end of the telescopic support rod is connected with a pull rod 15. One end of the pull rod 15 is connected to the outer end of the telescopic support rod, and the other end extends outward. The upper end of the vertical toggle rod 14 is connected to the top edge of the side wall of the culture dish 12, and a strip-shaped through hole 16 is opened along the length direction at the lower end. The end of the pull rod 15 away from the telescopic support rod passes through the strip-shaped through hole 16, and a limit block 17 is connected to the end;
[0063] An adjusting assembly is further arranged in the mounting base 13, and the adjusting assembly is used to adjust the length of the telescopic support rod.
[0064] The surface of the mounting base 13 is a plane and is hollow inside. Its surface is used to support the bottom of the culture dish 12, and the inside is used as a space for installing auxiliary structures such as the adjusting assembly. The limit block 17 can be a roller rotatably connected to the end of the pull rod 15;
[0065] Among them, when the telescopic support rod expands and contracts, it will drive the pull rod 15 to move. When the telescopic support rod shortens and drives the pull rod 15 to move inward, the pull rod 15 squeezes the lower end of the toggle rod 14 through the limit block 17, so that the lower end of the toggle rod 14 deflects inward with the rotation connection point with the mounting base 13 as the axis, then the upper end of the toggle rod 14 will deflect outward, and when deflecting, it will drive the top edge of the side wall of the culture dish 12 to expand outward;
[0066] In this solution, the culture dish 12 is made of silica gel, which has a certain elasticity and can deform when being pulled. In the initial state, that is, when the culture dish 12 is in a natural contraction state, its side wall is in a vertical state;
[0067] During the use process, by pulling the toggle rod 14, the top edge of the side wall of the culture dish 12 can be pulled outward, so that the culture dish 12 is in a flared structure, increasing the surface area of the inner accommodating matrix. The surface area of the matrix will gradually expand when the culture dish 12 expands, so that the matrix continuously presents a new liquid surface;
[0068] At the same time, since the microorganisms will continue to spread around in a film-like manner along the matrix liquid surface during their reproduction, the torn membrane will be pulled during the expansion of the matrix liquid surface, and the edges of the cracks will serve as new reproduction and expansion surfaces, which can accelerate the reproduction rate of the microorganisms to a certain extent.
[0069] In this embodiment, the telescopic support rod includes a sleeve 18 and an inner rod 19. The sleeve 18 is slidably connected to the mounting seat 13 with a single degree of freedom. The inner rod 19 is a threaded rod that is threadedly engaged with the sleeve 18. One end of the threaded rod extends out of the sleeve 18 and is connected to a driven bevel gear 20.
[0070] A driving bevel gear 21 is rotatably connected to the mounting seat 13, and the driving bevel gear 21 is meshed with a plurality of driven bevel gears 20;
[0071] A support plate 22 is further provided on the mounting seat 13 , and the inner rod 19 is rotatably connected to the support plate 22 . Two limit plates 23 are provided on the inner rod 19 , and the two limit plates 23 are respectively located on both sides of the support plate 22 .
[0072] The outer wall of the sleeve 18 can be an elliptical or multi-faceted structure, and a hole matching its shape can be opened on the mounting seat 13, in which the sleeve 18 can slide without rotating, and the inner rod 19 is connected thereto by a thread, and plays a limiting effect under the action of two limit plates 23 and the support plate 22, that is, the screw can rotate at a fixed position, and when rotating, the sleeve 18 is pushed to slide in the hole through the thread engagement, wherein the active bevel gear 21 serves as the input point of power, and the driven bevel gear 20 serves as the transmission structure of the inner rod 19 and the active bevel gear 21, and by rotating the active bevel gear 21, multiple inner rods 19 can be driven to rotate synchronously, that is, multiple sleeves 18 are driven to move synchronously to drive multiple toggle rods 14 matched therewith to deflect synchronously.
[0073] In this embodiment, a base 24 is provided below the mounting seat 13 , a support shaft 25 is connected to the center of the active bevel gear 21 , one end of the support shaft 25 is connected to the active bevel gear 21 , and the other end passes through the mounting seat 13 downward and is connected to the base 24 .
[0074] The base 24 serves as a support for the overall structure, which may be a structure with a fixing effect such as a suction cup, and can be conveniently installed on a table. The support shaft 25 serves as a connecting structure between the base 24 and the active bevel gear 21. The active bevel gear 21 will be in a fixed state with the base 24. When the shape of the culture dish 12 needs to be adjusted, the mounting seat 13 can be rotated to drive multiple driven bevel gears 20 to rotate around the active bevel gear 21. During the rotation process, the driven bevel gear 20 will rotate under the meshing push of the active bevel gear 21.
[0075] In this embodiment, a plurality of support blocks 26 corresponding to the plurality of toggle levers 14 are arranged on the edge of the culture dish 12. The middle of the support block 26 is connected to the upper end of the toggle lever 14, and a plurality of fixing strips 27 inserted into the side wall of the culture dish 12 are connected to the support block 26.
[0076] The support blocks 26 and the plurality of fixing strips 27 form a fence-like structure, which forms a morphologically stable structure for the side wall of the culture dish 12 by inserting the plurality of fixing strips 27 into the side wall of the culture dish 12. When the upper end of the toggle lever 14 deflects outward, it can drive the top edge of the side wall of the culture dish 12 to expand outward.
[0077] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present invention can be modified or equivalently replaced without departing from the purpose and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and they should all be covered by the scope of the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. An activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms, comprising a culture medium and a carrier for carrying the culture medium, characterized in that: The carrier can expand the surface of the culture medium by extending and pulling the culture medium to deform.
2. The activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms according to claim 1 is characterized by: The carrier comprises a first bracket and a second bracket which are overlapped, the first bracket comprises a first central block and a plurality of first fixing cards, one end of the plurality of first fixing cards is connected to the first central block, and the other end thereof extends radially outward; The second bracket includes a second center block and a plurality of second fixing cards, wherein one end of the plurality of second fixing cards is connected to the second center block and the other end thereof extends radially outward; The culture medium is a solid culture medium, and the culture medium includes a plurality of matrix units, and the plurality of matrix units are respectively mounted on a first fixing card and a second fixing card.
3. The activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms according to claim 2 is characterized by: The base unit is a fan-shaped structure with the first central block or the second central block as the center.
4. The activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The base unit comprises a matrix and a fixing net for matrix assistance, the components of the matrix comprise a nutrient and a binder, and the binder is agar.
5. The activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms according to claim 2 is characterized by: The first central block and the second central block are connected with a first supporting column and a second supporting column respectively.
6. The activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms according to claim 2 is characterized by: A positioning column is provided at the center of one side of the first center block facing the second center block, and a positioning groove opposite to the positioning column is provided on the second center block, and the positioning column is rotatably connected in the positioning groove.
7. The activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms according to claim 1 is characterized by: The carrier comprises a culture dish made of a flexible material and a mounting seat supported at the bottom of the culture dish, wherein a plurality of telescopic support rods are transversely arranged on the mounting seat, and the plurality of telescopic support rods are all connected to the mounting seat in a single-degree-of-freedom sliding manner, with one end facing the center of the mounting seat and the other end extending radially outward from the mounting seat; A plurality of vertical toggle rods opposite to the plurality of telescopic support rods are arranged on the outside of the mounting seat, the middle portion of the vertical toggle rods is rotatably connected to the mounting seat, and the rotation plane and the extension direction of the corresponding telescopic support rod are located on the same plane, the outward end of the telescopic support rod is connected to a pull rod, one end of the pull rod is connected to the outward end of the telescopic support rod, and the other end extends outward, the upper end of the vertical toggle rod is connected to the top edge of the side wall of the culture dish, and the lower end is provided with a strip through hole along the length direction, the end of the pull rod away from the telescopic support rod passes through the strip through hole, and the end is connected to a limiting block; An adjustment component is also provided in the mounting seat, and the adjustment component is used to adjust the length of the telescopic support rod.
8. The activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms according to claim 7 is characterized by: The telescopic support rod comprises a sleeve and an inner rod, the sleeve is slidably connected to the mounting seat with a single degree of freedom, the inner rod is a threaded rod threadedly engaged in the sleeve, one inner end of the threaded rod extends out of the sleeve and is connected to a driven bevel gear; A driving bevel gear is rotatably connected to the mounting seat, and the driving bevel gear is meshed with a plurality of driven bevel gears; A support plate is also provided on the mounting seat, the inner rod is rotatably connected to the support plate, and two limit plates are provided on the inner rod, and the two limit blocks are respectively located on both sides of the support plate.
9. The activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms according to claim 8 is characterized by: A base is arranged below the mounting seat, a support shaft is connected to the center of the active bevel gear, one end of the support shaft is connected to the active bevel gear, and the other end passes through the mounting seat downwards and is connected to the base.
10. The activation treatment device based on environmental engineering sludge treatment microorganisms according to claim 7, characterized in that: The edge of the culture dish is provided with a plurality of support blocks corresponding to the plurality of toggle rods one by one, the middle of the support block is connected to the upper end of the toggle rod, and the support block is connected with a plurality of fixing strips inserted into the side wall of the culture dish.