Bioreactor Sound Wave Frequency Sweeping for Microorganism Growth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bioreactors using sound waves within the human audible range fail to significantly enhance microorganism growth, falling short of market demands for economical and efficient production methods.

Innovation Solution

A bioreactor with a cylindrical container and shaking and mixing means that irradiates microorganisms with a sound wave whose frequency changes over time as a sawtooth function between 50 Hz and 8 kHz, accompanied by varying intensity from 0 dB to 70 dB, to stimulate growth, and includes a hydrophone for continuous monitoring of cell concentration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sound waves with fixed frequency are used to irradiate microorganisms, then the bioreactor structure is simple, but the growth rate of microorganisms is not significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth rate of microorganismsVSAvoidcomplexity of sound wave control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transforming the static fixed-frequency sound wave into a dynamic sweeping frequency sound wave that continuously changes over time. This dynamic approach allows the sound wave to cover a broader frequency range (50 Hz to 8 kHz), stimulating microorganisms more effectively and significantly increasing growth rates while managing system complexity through controlled parameter variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the frequency parameter of the sound wave over time according to a sawtooth function. This continuous parameter change enables the sound wave to interact with different resonant frequencies of microorganisms, enhancing growth stimulation without requiring complex hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If continuous constant sound wave is applied, then the stimulation is continuous, but the microorganisms cannot tolerate the continuous pressure and growth enhancement is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth rate of microorganismsVSAvoidtolerance of microorganisms to sound pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using a sweeping frequency sound wave that continuously varies over time rather than maintaining a constant frequency. This periodic variation in frequency creates alternating compression and rarefaction patterns that are better tolerated by microorganisms, reducing stress while maintaining effective stimulation for growth enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If high intensity sound waves are used, then the sound wave can penetrate the culture, but the growth enhancement is not sufficient to meet market demands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth rate of microorganismsVSAvoidstress on microorganisms from sound waves

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by varying the frequency of sound waves over time rather than using constant high-intensity waves. This frequency modulation allows effective penetration and stimulation of microorganisms while distributing the acoustic stress over a broader frequency range, preventing excessive stress concentration at any single frequency and thereby enhancing growth without harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method and bioreactor design significantly increase microorganism growth rates by mimicking a modulated discontinuous pressure, preventing biofilm formation and allowing real-time monitoring of cell concentration, thus producing cultures more rapidly and efficiently.

Implementation Method 1

the stimulation of a culture of microorganisms (for example micro-algae) by means of a sound wave with frequency changing over time... produces a growth increase... a modulated discontinuous pressure is probably better tolerated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic pressure: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Data Source

PatentEP3271450B1Method and bioreactor for producing a culture of microorganisms

Publication Date: 2019.11.06 LABRUZZO PIETRO

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AI summary

A bioreactor (1) is described of producing a culture of microorganisms (4) comprising at least one cylindrical container (2) and shaking and mixing means (11) to shake and mix said culture of microorganisms (4) contained in said container (2), said bioreactor (1) further comprising a source of sound waves (5) to irradiate said culture of microorganisms (4) with a sound wave (10). A method is further described of producing a culture of microorganisms (4) through a bioreactor (1), comprising the step of a) shaking and mixing said microorganisms (4) through said shaking and mixing means (11), and the step of b) irradiating said culture of microorganisms (4) with a sound wave (10). The bioreactor and method are characterized in that the frequency (f) of the sound wave (10) changes over time as a sawtooth function in a range comprised between 50 Hz and 8 kHz, preferably between 100 Hz and 6 kHz.