Hardware
Our Goals with Hardware
Our primary goal with hardware development is to create innovative, sustainable, and scalable technologies that can advance both research and industrial applications in synthetic biology. By focusing on modular designs and efficient resource use, we aim to enable high-throughput biomanufacturing while reducing the environmental footprint of biological processes. Each hardware project, from our bioreactor to the microfluidic pump and multiphase microfluidic system, is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing workflows, providing precise control over biological experiments and production.
We also aim to set new standards for sustainability in hardware, ensuring that our designs minimize material waste and energy consumption. Through iterative design and feedback loops with industry experts via our iHP (Integrated Human Practices) process, we ensure that our hardware not only meets the needs of today’s synthetic biology challenges but is also adaptable for future advancements. Ultimately, our goal is to make scalable, efficient, and environmentally conscious hardware accessible to researchers and manufacturers alike.
Based on these guiding principles, our team pursued three interconnected projects:
Creating Technologies for Scalable Biomanufacturing
Our hardware team focused on designing and developing scalable technologies that support efficient and high-throughput biomanufacturing. Central to our approach was creating interconnected systems that could accelerate the production of biological materials while minimizing resource use. Our solutions were designed to be adaptable for different scales of production, from laboratory settings to industrial biomanufacturing. We also prioritized automation and precision, ensuring that each design could be integrated seamlessly into modern biomanufacturing workflows. Through our iterative DBTL (Design-Build-Test-Learn) cycle, we pursued three primary projects: the bioreactor, the microfluidic pump, and the multiphase microfluidic system. Each of these projects was guided by our goal of reducing the environmental impact of biological manufacturing while increasing the efficiency and scalability of the processes involved.
Creating Platforms for Sustainable Research
Alongside our efforts in biomanufacturing, we recognized the importance of designing hardware that aligns with sustainability goals. As part of our iHP (Integrated Human Practices) work, we consulted with stakeholders in academia and industry to better understand how our hardware could contribute to more environmentally conscious research. Our focus on sustainability informed design choices that minimized material waste, optimized energy use, and utilized low-impact fabrication methods like laser ablation. By integrating principles of sustainability into each of our projects, we aimed to set new standards for environmentally responsible research platforms. Our hardware not only improves the efficiency of scientific workflows but also reduces the overall environmental footprint, making it suitable for long-term use in both academic research and industrial applications.