The purpose of this project is to advance an affordable, open-source incubator model for microalgae by improving its electrical architecture, lighting system, and overall usability. This work focuses on simplifying the existing system through the development of a custom PCB and user interface, consolidating power to a single input, and implementing modular LED plates that provide consistent and repeatable lighting conditions. In addition, a thermal model is being developed to better understand and predict how heat from the lighting and cooling systems affects chamber temperature stability.

Our team collaborated with Electrical and Computer Engineering 28 on this project.