1. Liquid Controller Client: Professor Ian Bird, Ph.D
Advisor: Professor Paul Thompson, Ph.D
Team Members:
Joe Decker – Communicator
Justin Gearing – BSAC
Dan Miller – BWIG
Steve Welch - Leader

2. Outline Background Problem Statement Current Design PDS Summary
Design Components
Design Alternatives
Design Matrix
Future Work
Questions

3. Background Microscopy experiments Cells tested on a microscope tray
Experiments test prevalence of calcium in the cell

4. Current Design Reagents added by hand Time kept manually
Reagents switched manually

5. Problem Statement Current setup is: Design new, automated system
Time Consuming
Labor Intensive
Error Prone
Design new, automated system

6. Summary of PDS Design must be: Biologically friendly Automated
Easy to use
Reliable
Transportable

7. Overall Design Electrically operated valves Controlled by program
Power supply and wires stored in case
Valves
Case

8. Design: LabVIEW Program on/off times for each valve
Saving formats allow quick plug-and-go
Prints report of times, amounts of solution
Interface (image): low voltage output, to be stored in case

9. Design: Power Relay
Boosts low-voltage output from LabVIEW interface to 12vdc needed for valves
Requires wall outlet for 12 v source
Also stored in case

10. Design: Valves and Panel
Two-way normally closed isolation valves
Teflon coating
12 VDC, 1.15 W
Array of 8 to be mounted on panel

11. Inseparable Valve Panel
Mounted directly to box
Reconnect tubes to valves
Pros:
No chance for lost components
Cons:
Difficult to remount valves
Opportunity for valves to break
valves
To Power Source
To USB

12. Semi-Separable Valve Panel
Panel can be disassembled from stand
Attached to box for transport
Pros:
Cost Efficient
User Friendly
Components easily replaced
Cons:
Loose wires
Panel
Disconnect
Power Box

13. Fully Separable Valve Panel
Two separate structures
Pros:
Less chance of damage from transportation
Cons:
More expensive
More parts to replace
Wires must be reattached when transporting

14. Design Matrix Design User-Friendly (30) Cost (10) Total 30 20 10 15 85
Durability (30)
Replaceable (15)
Convenience (15)
Cost (10)
Total
Inseparable 30 20 10 15 85
Semi-Separable 25 95
Fully Separable 5

15. Projected Budget $480.00: valves $40.00: Power Relay Board
$130.00: LabVIEW interface
$100.00: miscellaneous building supplies
Total: $750.00

16. Future Work
Finish programming
Order parts
Construction
Testing

17. References

18. Questions?