Portable Bioreactor Modularity for Stable Off-Grid Culture

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of versatile, portable bioreactor systems capable of culturing a wide variety of cell lines, bacteria, fungi, and algae, particularly those that can operate off the electric grid.

Innovation Solution

A portable bioreactor system comprising a base, lid, vessel holder, and peripherals that allow for rotational movement, modular cradles for varying sizes, and networked operation, equipped with peripherals for measuring and controlling culture conditions, and powered by a battery module with solar charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If traditional bioreactor systems are used, then reliable culture conditions can be maintained, but portability and off-grid operation capability are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidculture condition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bioreactor system is divided into modular components including a base unit with culture chamber, separate lid with sealing mechanism, handheld peripherals, and battery module. This segmentation enables portability while each module is optimized for its specific function to maintain reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base unit serves multiple functions: housing the culture chamber, providing temperature control, supporting various vessel types, and integrating with different peripherals. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate systems while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If versatile culture capabilities are provided for multiple cell lines and microorganisms, then adaptability increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveculture type flexibilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base unit is designed to accommodate various culture vessels (test tubes, flasks, plates) and support multiple organism types through integrated temperature control and gas exchange mechanisms, providing universal culture capability without requiring separate specialized equipment for each organism type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic adjustment of culture conditions including temperature, agitation speed, and gas flow rates through programmable control, enabling adaptation to different organism requirements without changing the physical hardware configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If networked operation and parallel experimentation capabilities are added, then productivity increases, but device complexity and power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexperiment throughputVSAvoidnetwork configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple bioreactor units are networked together to share control software, data storage, and power management resources. This merging allows parallel experimentation across multiple units while avoiding the complexity of each unit having complete independent control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A central control computer or hub acts as an intermediary between multiple bioreactor units, coordinating experiments, managing data flow, and distributing power requirements. This intermediary simplifies the network architecture compared to peer-to-peer communication between all units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If modular cradles and interchangeable peripherals are implemented, then ease of operation increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperipheral interchangeabilityVSAvoidmounting mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The peripheral devices (spectrometers, pH meters, oxygen sensors) are designed as separate modular units that can be independently attached or removed from the base unit, allowing users to configure the system according to specific experimental needs without permanently integrating all components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Standardized mounting interfaces and connection protocols are provided across all peripheral devices, ensuring that any peripheral can be attached to any compatible base unit without requiring complex alignment or customization procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

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

Enables efficient culture of diverse microorganisms, including pigment-producing species, and facilitates networked operation for parallel experimentation, supporting applications such as microbial pigment production and biofilm analysis.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar energy conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12378511B2Portable bioreactors and portable bioreactor systems for analyzing biofilm formation and degradation

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 BIOREALIZE INC

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to portable bioreactors that allow the custom production of microbial cultures, and in some embodiments, the production of custom microbial biofilms. Also disclosed are portable bioreactor systems that are networked and capable of cooperative work in parallel.