Conceptualization and Design

Figure 1. 3-D Model of the Compost Storage Component

Figure 2: Compost Storage Top Panel

The Project has two main sections:

Storage Container

Bacteria

Storage Container:

The device is designed to be easy to use and accessible to everyone. We aimed to create a green method of delivering our bacterial slurry without electricity. Initially, we had designed individual pods using Polyvinyl Alcohol as our delivery method. However, this project was limited in scale; we aim to make a product accessible and user-friendly for everyone.

The design is purposefully box-shaped to leverage its familiarity and ease of use, providing users with a more practical and intuitive solution. This design aims to enhance the composting process at the gardening center by offering a user-friendly and efficient product.

We plan to 3-D print the container for our prototype using Polypropylene 3D Printer Filament. This material is cheap, light, and waterproof. We plan on using plastic for our final product, as it is low-cost, light, and easy to use. We have been in contact with Northeastern University and plan to integrate these bins into student dormitories.

Principle

The design of the base of our device is filleted to store our bacterial slurry in a lattice. The container is designed to be filled with leafy compost. Once full, the top panel seals the container, which is then flipped, evenly distributing the bacterial slurry over the compost and introducing bacteria to the system.

The Bacteria

In this project, we utilize Escherichia coli, a bioengineered bacterium, to transform foul-smelling compost into pleasant-smelling compounds like menthol (mint) and linalool (lavender). We selected this bacterium due to its compatibility with our project and ease of handling in the lab. We were able to modify its enzymatic pathways to optimize the conversion process. The practical simplicity of E. coli makes it an accessible and efficient organism for this purpose, allowing for an uncomplicated and effective solution to compost odor management.

Device functionality

This device is designed to be simple and user-friendly. To use it, fill the divots at the base with bacterial slurry and compost. This design is intended to contain enough bacteria to cultivate inside the compost bin. Once full, seal the container with the lid and flip it over. This process evenly distributes the slurry throughout the container, allowing bacteria to multiply and spread efficiently with the help of gravity.

Its straightforward design makes scaling for larger projects, such as on-campus initiatives, easy. By providing student dormitories with these composting bins and bacterial slurry, composting becomes a convenient and sustainable practice for students, promoting environmental responsibility in campus living. Our long-term goal involves teaming up with Northeastern University to implement this project on campus.

Materials for replication references

3-D printing filament (PP) - This material is cheap and easy to work with, making it perfect for a prototype. For the final product, we plan on using plastic, as it is light, inexpensive, and easy to commercialize.