ESC-PCR

How to build a thermocyclers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from common materials that are easy to find and affordable. The use of an Electronic speed control (ESC) is a possible way. ESC controllers for brushless motors are often used in radio controlled (RC) modelism and for drones. These controllers are produced in high quantity and offer interesting properties for relatively low cost (5 euro). The controller include 3 half-bridge drivers to drive 20 Ampers (A) or more. Many of the popular controllers are based on an ATmega8 micro-controller and can be reprogrammed using the arduino IDE. So by connecting a peltier element for heating and cooling, a temperature sensor and reprogramming the controller an easy PCR could be built. ATmega8 based ESC controllers look something like this:



This site explains the different functional units and how to identify the pins an the ATmega8 they connect to