Hackteria - New pages [en]

Frog Hacking with Brandon Ballengée, Ljubljana

Dusjagr — Fri, 31 May 2013 15:18:09 GMT

Dusjagr: /* Material to prepare */

[[File:frog-hacking.jpg|640px]]

== Material to prepare ==

===Aquariums===
- For the aquariums, here are the specs:
* 11 total 50 (l) x 30 (w) x 30 (h) cm ....approx 12 inches high by 12 inches wide by 20 inches length
* 4 total 75 (l) x 50 (w) x 50 (h) cm ...approx 20 inches high by 20 inches wide by 30 inches deep
* 4 total 20 (l) x 20 (w) x 20 (h) cm ...approx 8 inches high by 8 inches deep by 8 inches length

===Nets===
* 15 total dip nets
* 1 total 2 meter by 3 meter seine net (we can bring one but would be easier if you can get one)
* we also need small nets for moving creatures from aquarium to aquarium

===Other equipments===
* 4-6 pairs of waders (for Brandon and volunteers) at least one size 44 for Brandon
* rain boots (4-6 pairs) at least one size 44 for Brandon
* 8 total 5 gallon buckets for field trips to keep specimens in and sort at sites and move to the lab

BioVisuals and BioVJ, Maribor

Dusjagr — Sat, 25 May 2013 18:39:00 GMT

BioTehna:

== Workshop ==
[[File:gt22.jpg|320px]]
=== Schedule ===

'''14:00 - 19:00 Workshop/Delavnica'''

Naučili se boste predelali LED optična svetila in hackali webkamere za izdelovanje mikroskopov. Uporabljali se bodo analogne in digitalne VJ inštrumenti.
Na začetku delavnice se bo zbiralo mikroorganizme, ki se bodo uporabljali skozi celotno delavnico. Sprehod do mestnih vodnih površin/ribnikov. //

During the workshop you will learn how to hack LED optics and webcams, and make your own microscope. You will also learn to use analog and digital VJ instruments.
At the beginning of the workshop you will also collect microorganisms, which you will use throughout the whole workshop. A short walk to the water surfaces in the city park is planned.

'''21:00 BioKino/BioVJ Jam session'''

Javna predstavitev delavnice //
Public presentation of the workshop

Zaželjeno je sodelovanje ob celotnem poteku delavnice.
''Med 19.00 in 20.00 bomo sodelujoče na delavnici tudi nahranili, v sodelovanju z SoulKitchen.
Ob zaključku delavnice si boste lahko odnesli domov svoj lastni webcam/mikroskop.'' //

It is advisable that you stay throughout the whole duration of the workshop.
''For the participants of the workshop dinner will be served between 19.00 and 20.00 in collaboration with Soulkitchen.
At the end of the workshop you can take home your own webcam/microscope.''

Prijave zbiramo na email: postartlab@gmail.com ali direktno v PostArtLabu, GT22, Maribor //

Reserve your place by email: postartlab@gmail.com or directly in PostArtLab, GT22, Maribor

Prispevek k delavnici 10 Eur //
Workshop contribution 10 Eur

===Location===
'''PostArtLab''' je laboratorij za AV in hackerske eksperimente. PostArtLab deluje v prostorih GT22.
'''PostArtLab''' it's a laboratory for AV and hackers experiments. PostArtLab is located in the premises of GT22.

'''GT22''' je nova urbana lokacija na Glavnem trgu 22 v Mariboru. To je interdisciplinarni prostor, ki povezuje umetnost in šport in življenje ter ob organski rasti preko analiz vzpostavlja izobraževalno, raziskovalno in produkcijsko platformo.

'''GT22''' is a new urban space located in Glavni Trg 22, in Maribor. This is an interdisciplinary laboratory that brings together forms of life, arts and sports and grows organically. GT22 it's grounded on research, education and it's a production oriented platform.

===Description===

V nedeljo 16.junija 2013 PostArtLab gosti delavnico BioKino/BioVJ.
Delavnica je predvsem namenjena kreativnemu ustvarjanju in eksperimentiranju z svetlobo, kjer lahko s pomočjo povečalnikov opazujete življenje majhnih organizmov, ki živijo v našem okolju. Na delavnici se boste naučili uporabljati optične inštrumente, s katerimi boste lahko tudi sami opazovali mikroorganizme.
Delavnica poteka v sodelovanju z Hackteria.org in Galerijo Kapelica v skupnem projektu Biotehna.

== BioKino/BioVJ Jam Session ==

Delavnica se bo zakljucila z vecernim druzenjem in zvocnem eksperimentiranju.
Vabljeni glasbeniki, noise entusiasti & vsi, ki si želite sodelovat na jam sessionu ali zgolj opazovat rezultate delavnice.

==Videos from older sessions==

{{#widget:Vimeo|id=66995475}}

{{#widget:Vimeo|id=44523410}}

Mobile Labs Hackathon, Ljubljana

Dusjagr — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:44:51 GMT

Dusjagr: /* Schedule, 10 - 18. June */

[[File:MobileLabFlyer1.jpg|640px]]

see some ideas on [[MobileLabs]]

=Mobile Labs Hackathon=

During the last years we have investigated various approaches on building and using various [[MobileLabs]], [http://hackteria.org/?p=1202 MobileKitchenLabs in a hacked Angkringan, in Yogyakarta] and [http://wiki.sgmk-ssam.ch/index.php/Boxology Boxology]. We explored it's uses at various festivals and conferences such as [[MutaMorphosis:Nomadic_Science_Lab#Nomadic_Furniture]] or [http://hackteria.org/?p=1016 Lab-in-a-Van for Ars Electronica's Create Your World Festival]. It is time now to focus more in depth about these concepts and we are inviting artists and hackers to come and join us for a 1 week MobileLabs Hackathon in our new facilities of the [http://hackteria.org/wiki/index.php/BioTehna_Lab_Infrastructure BioTehna Lab II], Ljubljana.

==Mentors==

Urs Gaudenz (CH) – [http://www.gaudi.ch/GaudiLabs/ GaudiLabs]

Yashas Shetty (IN) – [http://hackteria.org/?p=1296 Art/Sci Bangalore] (to be confirmed...)

Sachiko Hirosue (JP/CH) – [http://biodesign.cc/ BioDesign.CC]

and all participants are mentoring each other

==Schedule, 10 - 18. June==

For one week we will collaborate on ideas of Mobile Labs, Lab-in-a-Box, Environmental monitoring for off-grip field trips, artistic projects and transportability of living systems.

'''"Official" working/opening times:''' everyday from 14 - 20h.

===Hackathon Pre-Phase: 10 - 11. June===

''Monday 10''

* Preparation of the Hackathon venue at BioTehna & Kapelica Gallery
* Shopping!
* Arrival of Gjino and Lizzie (midnight)

''Tuesday 11''
* Start hacking
* Tentative Workshop at Aksioma: HiperOído*: DIY pick-up microphone
* Paula's Performance and party in Cirkulacija2
* UV Bug-hunting workshop in the Garden

===MobileLabs Hackathon Phase: 12 - 15. June===

''Wednesday 12. June''

* 08 arrival of Urs, 8.12 get mobile lab
* hacking
* 16 Group Introduction/Presentations 1600
* 18 Presentation about [http://fridav.ljudmila.org/wiki/Main_Page Frida] by Luka Frelih, Ljudmila
* 19 Remote Talk by Mac Cowell (US), [http://diybio.org/ DIYbio.org], [http://genefoo.com/ GeneFoo Personal Biotechnologies] ~19:00 Lubjana time / 10 AM San Francisco time (1700 UTC) - google hangout?
* 20 Evening in Cirkulacija2 / Rog

''Thursday 13. June''

* hacking
* 12 Field/lunch Trip to roznik

''Friday 14. June''

* 08 arrival of Sachiko & Sarah, 8.12
* hacking
* Remote Talk by [http://hackteria.org/?p=60 Andy Gracie] (UK/ES), [http://hostprods.net/ hostprods]
* 18 Round Table on OpenSpaces with Kiberpipa and Friends...

''Saturday 15. June''

* 08 arrival of Stefania
* hacking
* 14 mini.workshop Lab-in-a-Box
* 15 Glass Hacking & Aquariology

===Lab-in-a-Box Workshop: 15. June===

During this 4h afternoon mini-workshop theMobileLabs Hackathonians will introduce their projects to a group of students, artists, makers. We will make a small Lab-in-a-Box to take home and start your own citizen science and/or artistic research on environment, biology and life itself.

===Getting mobile, Workshop in Maribor: 16. June===

To test our mobility we will go for a field trip of research and workshops to Maribor and Vitanje. In Maribor we'll work with the local participants at GT22 on using living systems as inputs for visual experimentations, BioCinema, BioVJ, build microscopes, laser projectors and other experimental visualizations.

see more on [[BioKino and BioVJ, GT22, Maribor]]

===Getting into the field, Research Trip to Vitanje: 17. -18. June===

Now we are going off-grid! To outer space, into the forests and along the streams of Savinjska. Visit to [http://www.ksevt.eu/ KSEVT], Cultural Centre of European Space Technologies during the afternoon. Followed by hikes and camping in the forests around Vitanje.

===Grand BioTehna2 Re-Launch Party / Artists Lectures / MobileLabs Vernisage: 18. June===

Our prototypes will be shown and explained for the next couple of days in Kapelica Gallery.

Everybody is welcome to join us for an evening of Lectures by the participants of the MobileLabs Hackathon, where they will introduce the audience into their projects they have done in Bangalore, Switzerland and everywhere.

This evening will also be the Grand Relaunch Party of our new facilities in the BioTehna Lab II.

===MobileLabs Exhibition: 19 - 24. June===

==Locations==

BioTehna Lab II / Kapelica Gallery / Kiberpipa / GT22 / dusjagr labs II

Ljubljana, Slovenia

==Participants==

=== Registration ===
As we can only host up to 12 participant to work together in our facilites, make sure you reserve your place for participation.

Please register to participate by mail to [mailto:marc@dusseiller.ch dusjagr]

===Hackathon Participants===
''Hosts:''

* Kristijan Tkalec (SLO)
* Marc Dusseiller (CH/SLO)

''Participants:''

* [http://hackteria.org/?p=278 Yashas Shetty] (IN), [http://www.theisro.org/ Indian Sonic Research Organisation], [http://hackteria.org/?p=1296 (Art)Science BLR] (to be confirmed...)
* [http://hackteria.org/?p=1303 Sachiko Hirosue] (JP/CH), [http://biodesign.cc/ BioDesign.CC], Atélier Hiro-Kouri
* [http://hackteria.org/?p=281 Urs Gaudenz] (US/CH), [http://www.gaudi.ch/GaudiLabs/ GaudiLabs]
* [http://www.velisilver.com/ Veli Silver] (SLO/CH)
* Stefania Druga (RO/DE), [http://www.hackidemia.com/ hackidemia]
* Sarah Turnheer (CH)
* [http://hackteria.org/?p=1776 Gjino Sutic] (HR), [http://immmedialab.wordpress.com/category/biohakiranje/ I'MM_Media lab], [http://www.meetup.com/Biotweaking-Zagreb/ Biotweaking Zagreb]
* Miha Sukič (SLO)
* Saša Spačal (SLO), [http://www.agapea.si/en/ agapae]
* Elizabeth Cole (US), [http://etbagency.org/ Evil Twin Booking Agency]
* [https://vimeo.com/robertina Robertina Šebjanič] (SLO)
* Tina Malina (SLO), [http://wiki.ljudmila.org/Naslovnica Ljudmila], [http://www.radiostudent.si/ Radio Študent]

===Part-time Visitors===

* Bengt Sjolen (SE)
* Deborah Hustic (HR), [http://immmedialab.wordpress.com/ I'MM_Media lab]
* Niko Klansek (US/SLO)
* Paula Pin (ES)
* Luka Frelik (SLO)

=== Remote Collaborators ===

* [http://hackteria.org/?p=60 Andy Gracie] (UK/ES), [http://hostprods.net/ hostprods]
* Mac Cowell (US), [http://diybio.org/ DIYbio.org], [http://genefoo.com/ GeneFoo Personal Biotechnologies]

==Partners and Supporters==

===Support===

BioTehna is supported by the [http://www.contribution-enlargement.admin.ch/ Swiss Contribution to the enlarged European Union]. Part of the visit from Yashas Shetty is supported by [http://www.prohelvetia.in/ Pro Helvetia New Dehli].

==Information for International Guests==

===Getting there===

From zurich/switzerland, easiest by night train. from other places check flights to Ljubljana/brnik or to triest or venice. we can help you with your booking and travel organisation. just contact [mailto:marc@dusseiller.ch dusjagr] and [mailto:jana.putrle@kapelica.org jana]

===Map===

[[File:ljubljana_map.png|640px]]

download map and more info [[File:map_biotehna_dusjagr.pdf]]

* BioTehna Lab II & Kapelica Gallery, Kersnikova 4, near Slovenska Cesta (main road)
* dusjagr labs II & Residence chez dusjagr, Komenskega 13, near the Dragon Bridge and Market
* Bi-Ko-Fe & Homestay 2, Židovska steza 2, corner to Gosposka ulica

===Bedology===

====Homestay 1: Residence chez dusjagr====

shared kitchen and shower with main apartment of dusjagr

'''Antique Room'''

1 small, 1 large bed, water sink, mirror. antique! https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/855239

* lizzy
* (Deb)
* (Paula)

'''Small Room'''

1 bed. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/880312

* Gjino

'''dusjagr labs II'''

2 beds, 1 sofa, 1 lab

* dusjagr
* urs
* swedish hackers

====Homestay 2: Bi-ko-fe apartment====

2 rooms, 1 bed each, kitchen & shower

* Sachiko
* Stefania
* Sarah

====Homestay 3: Roro's apt====

* Yashas
* Shai

===to bring===

* sleeping bag for the camping trip
* project material
*

= Ideas =

==BioHacker's Lab-in-a-Box==

[[File:BioHackers lab-inna-box.jpg|320px]]

==Art-in-a-Suitcase==

==Mobile Environmental Testing Kit==

[[File:Kafi_Schnapps.jpg|320px]]

OD-Meters, such as the Kafi-Schnapps detektor aka Turbidity meter, see [http://wiki.sgmk-ssam.ch/index.php/Babygnusbuino-v2 BabyGnusbuino]

==Lab-on-a-Bike==

[[File:Lab-on-a-Bike.jpg|320px]]

==Mobile GeneLab==
[[File:MobileGenLab.jpg|220px]]
 
Putting all the gears you need to do gen testing in one mobile suicase. 
- PCR (flat blower, LCD) 
- Electrophoresis Box 
- Transilluminator (with Web/DigiCam) 
- Turbidity Meeter 
- Cooker 
- Centrifuge 
- EPI Holder for Pipeting 
- Cool Box 
- Power Supply, Battery 
- Gloves 
- Paper 
- Tips 
- Pipettes (ev. Glas or 3D) 
 
To start with, found this wonderful DelSey business suitcase. This suitcase has a great history as it was used back in 1980 by Telsy in Turin (Italy) for their famous "Mobile Telephone Encryptor" TDS-2003 (see picture and Crypto Museum). 

[[File:MobileGenSuicase.jpg|220px]] [[File:MobileCryptoSuicase.jpg|220px]] 
http://www.cryptomuseum.com/crypto/telsy/tds2003/index.htm 
 
 
[[File:MobileGenSuicase_sketch.png|500px]] 
Sketch on how the inside of the Mobile Gen-Lab could be arranged.
 
[[File:MacGenSuicase_sketch.jpg|350px]] 
 
Mackenzie Cowell Lab in a Suitcase

==Mobile Action Gears==
Build truly mobile bio lab gear inspired by the famous Ghostbusters devices: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKbg7CfG7i4 
 
[[File:MobileAction1.jpg|150px]] [[File:MobileAction2.jpg|350px]] 
Handheld mobile device for measuring, sample taking, sample storage, fridge and others. 
[[File:MobileAction3.jpg|300px]] 
As started allready back in 2010 at the HackteriaLab, work on lab in a back-pack. 
[[File:MobileAction4.jpg|350px]] 
Portable devices, body extensions, implants and other appropriate technologies. 
[[File:MobileAction5.jpg|400px]] 
Slime, slime guns, slime absorbers - "He Slimed Me" 
[[File:MobileAction6.jpg|400px]] 
Mobile lab on the road, in a containter, ...

==Legislation & Regulations==
How to bring regulated or protected technologies to the people? What says the law for different countries. What is prohibited or protected? What technologies or gens are patented? 
Approximately 137 million people around the world consume arsenic contaminated water. 
The project "Biodesign for the real world" is about detecting arsenic with a genetically modified organism (a bacteria). 
http://biodesign.cc 
There is similar projects like ARSOLUX with "patented arsenic-biosensor". They want to do measuring campaign in Bangladesh, Satkhira, Narayanganj, Chandpur, Pabna und Patuakhali... 
http://www.ufz.de/arsolux/index.php?en=20706 
 
What is appropriate technology and what is an appropriate use of technology? 
How to democratize knowledge and how to take decisions, take action and be consistent. 
 
[[File:WaterPond.png|400px]] 
Woman taking water from a water pond in Karnataka.
 
Selected quotes from biodesign.cc: 
"Our biosensor bacteria must be confined because of its resistance to kanamycin [antibiotic]." 
"Confined = existence of a physical or a chemical barrier between the environment and the organism." 
"We have to name someone responsible of the biologic security." 
"We have to notify the authorities what we are doing at least at the beginning of the activities." 
"Furthermore, we have to think not only of the laws but also of the society..." 
"...to avoid a potential scandal" 
 
"Kolar district in Karnataka has a case of Arsenic contamination due to the nearby gold mines, and we will be visiting Kolar to understand the severity of the contamination." 
"We would also write down certain questions that we would want to ask the locals in Kolar, in kannada, to acquire more information." 
"We planned on doing a small workshop with the children who we would meet in Kolar" 
"We could have a theatre workshop, as we would be staying with a theatre group from Kolar-AADIMA." 
 
"We reached there at around 10..." 
"It was a lovely place, very scenic." 
"Not much arsenic was detected in the water, to our disappointment." 
 
[[File:ArsenicBrainstorming.jpg|400px]] 
"Then Marc, who has already had conversations on potable water, asked - “why arsenic?”." 
 

==Present, Exhibit, Discuss, Continue on Biodesign.cc Mobile Arsenic Lab ==
 
In an dirty-as-out-of-the-box-as-you-can-get-and-thinking-inside-the-box prototyping workshop Yashas Shetty and his student team conceived and developed a Mobile Arsenic Lab. The Lab was tested on a field trip to Kolar near Bangalore. The group talked to the manager Mr. Nanjunandaswamy and the environmental engineer Mr. Ravindranath of Municipal office at KGF. 
 
[[File:MobileArsenciLab1.jpg|300px]] 
Workshop 
[[File:MobileArsenciLab2.jpg|200px]] 
First boxology prototype 
[[File:MobileArsenciLab3.jpg|200px]] 
[[File:MobileArsenciLab4.jpg|200px]] 
 
[[File:MobileArsenciLab_FieldTest.png|300px]] 
Field Test 

=Related Events=

==Cirkulacija2: Sound of Organism - Organism of Sound==

'''Schedule:'''
29. May - 11. June

[[File:SoundOfCirkulacija2.jpg|300px]] 

==HiperOído: DIY pick-up mikrofon Workshop==

http://wiki.ljudmila.org/HiperO%C3%ADdo:_DIY_pick-up_mikrofon

'''Schedule:'''
11. & 12 June

==Some crazy concert in metelkova==

'''Schedule:'''
12. June

==BioKino and BioVJ, GT 22, Maribor==

See more about [[BioKino and BioVJ, GT22, Maribor]]

'''Schedule:'''
Sunday, 16. June

==General assembly meeting of the International Hackteria Society==

'''Schedule:'''
Monday, 17. June, 11h - 14h

'''Location:''' Babica's, Medvedova, Maribor

[[File:TraktandenBlackBoard.jpg|120px]]

==Venice Bienale==

==film festival isola==

Shai Heredia will present some films there

'''Schedule:'''
6 - 11. June

=Logos=

[[File:hackteria_logo2012_green_black.png|thumb|300px|none|link=http://hackteria.org/]]

[[File:GaudiLabs_logo.png|thumb|300px|none|link=http://www.gaudi.ch/GaudiLabs/]]

[[File:PH_logo_byline_EN_color.jpg|thumb|300px|none|link=http://www.prohelvetia.in/]]

[[File:BioTehna_logo.jpg|thumb|300px|none|link=http://BioTehna.org/]]

[[File:SwissContribution_logo.jpg|thumb|300px|none|link=http://www.contribution-enlargement.admin.ch/]]

[[File:Kapelica_logo_new.jpg|thumb|300px|none|link=http://www.kapelica.org/]]

Dirty Prototyping Exercise

Chaitrali — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:31:51 GMT

Chaitrali: Created page with 'In order to come up with a few quick concepts for the mobile lab, we were divided into groups and asked to make a few rapid “dirty” prototypes. This allowed us to create some...'

In order to come up with a few quick concepts for the mobile lab, we were divided into groups and asked to make a few rapid “dirty” prototypes. This allowed us to create some simple designs without over-thinking the process. After 3 rounds of dirty prototyping using recycled materials found around campus, we agreed that the Mobile Lab, or at least the 1st finalized prototype of it, would ideally be in the form of an all terrain trolley that had detachable modules. Each Module would contain equipment and instructions pertaining to a distinct segment of experiments. Module A would be WATER TESTING, Module B would be DIY Microscopy and Electricals, Module C would be BACTERIA CULTURE and Module D would include any remaining heavy equipment such as the incubator, orbital shaker, pressure cooker etc, that could be used in combination with any of the others.

Last two days

Chaitrali — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:28:54 GMT

Chaitrali: Created page with 'The final week of the course had us compiling all our separate tasks. We tabulated the results of the tests that had been conducted on the water samples from arsenic (Results ...'

The final week of the course had us compiling all our separate tasks. We tabulated the results of the tests that had been conducted on the water samples from arsenic (Results were inconclusive either because of environmental factors, or the possibility that the water didn’t contain traces of arsenic at all). The arduino temperature control program was finalized, the research paper was edited and 3 of the modules for the Mobile lab were laser cut, assembled and engraved with the hackteria logo. A video documentation of the field research trip was finalized, the coordinates of the sample collection sites were joined to form trails that were later mapped and a digital 3D model of the all-terrain mobile lab trolley was rendered.
We compiled all our information and a book that serves as documentation for the course, a manual for the experiments conducted and instructions for the mobile lab, is currently in progress.

Kolar, KGF field trip

Chaitrali — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:28:12 GMT

Chaitrali: Created page with 'After weeks of data collection, equipment sourcing, research and planning, we finally embarked upon the journey to Kolar. We stayed with a renowned local theatre troupe called...'

After weeks of data collection, equipment sourcing, research and planning, we finally embarked upon the journey to Kolar. We stayed with a renowned local theatre troupe called Aadima, located at “Teerahalli Bette”, a hill on the outskirts of the main township. We collected samples from the hilly regions as well as from Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), the town thriving around the former mining area.
Conditions: Arid, dusty, dry climate with chances of thundershowers. Daytime temperatures between 28 to 39 degrees Celsius, Nighttime temperatures can drop down to 18 to 23 degrees.
Combination of black volcanic soil and yellow soil, more typical to northern Karnataka. 
Sources of water:
<ul>
<li>In the Hills: Rainwater deposits in open tanks, bore-wells.</li>
<li>In KGF: Ground water, Pipelines (a lot of which are still under construction), Private Supply (Companies like Bisleri supply cans), Government Tankers, Natural Lakes.</li>
</ul>

Water Sampling:
On the first day, we were shown around Teerahalli by a couple of Aadima residents. They took us to most of the ponds and bore-wells in the surrounding area, where we collected and labeled samples of water for future testing. Under the circumstances, we were only able to obtain surface samples, not samples from a foot below the surface, which would have provided more accurate results. Aeration and sun-exposure were prevented as much as possible.
On the second day, we took a bus to KGF in the main town. Obtaining samples was a lot harder because of the town’s congestion, time constraints, unwelcoming locals and sheer fatigue. We did collect about 5 samples from restaurants, a home supplying government water tank, public drinking fountains etc. We also spoke to the Environmental Engineer at the Water Supply Board of Kolar, who even offered to drive us around the 70 square kilometer area of the town and take us to lakes, wells and underground channels that were likely to show traces of Arsenic contamination. We weren’t able to collect these samples because of limited time, but it would definitely be worth another visit to Kolar to complete our field research.

Constructing the mobile Lab Prototype

Chaitrali — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:25:24 GMT

Chaitrali: Created page with 'The materials finalized for the construction of the mobile lab were 5mm opaque white acrylic for the body, 6 mm clear acrylic for the lid, and a combination of 5 mm white and ...'

The materials finalized for the construction of the mobile lab were 5mm opaque white acrylic for the body, 6 mm clear acrylic for the lid, and a combination of 5 mm white and 2 mm clear acrylic for the compartments within. Secondary packaging, for breakable glassware like test tubes, would be fabricated out of corrugated cardboard wrapped in cloth with elastic bands for secure hold.

Taking the width of the acrylic sheets and the gaps between compartments, the final uniform base size for each module was 513mm x 390 mm. Each module had this common base size, but slightly different heights, due to differing size of equipment.
I designed templates for each module on Adobe Illustrator and had the acrylic sheets taken to Kapson’s Glass for laser cutting. The different parts were soldered together with the use of chloroform, applied with a disposable syringe.

MODULE A (Water sampling and testing) DETAILS
<ul>
<li>64 containers (60 for water, 4 for arsenic gfp plug, assuming we have it)</li>
<li>100 disposable droppers</li>
<li>Rubber gloves (un-powdered)</li>
<li>GPS</li>
<li>Maps of Kolar</li>
</ul>
MODULE B (DIY Microscopy) DETAILS
<ul>
<li>Microscope stand and microscope</li>
<li>GPS</li>
<li>Spectroscope Guide</li>
<li>Manual</li>
<li>Glass Slides</li>
<li>LCD</li>
<li>Cables and adapters</li>
</ul>
MODULE C (bacteria culture) DETAILS
<ul>
<li>10 containers (5 arsenic gfp plugs, 5 kanamycin vials)</li>
<li>LB (1/2 kg container)</li>
<li>Agar Agar ( 250 gms)</li>
<li>Conical flasks 2</li>
<li>Spirit lamp</li>
<li>Pipette</li>
<li>Tips and rack</li>
<li>Test Tubes</li>
<li>Sterilizing Alcohol</li>
<li>12 petri Dishes</li>
<li>Instruction Manual</li>
</ul>
MODULE D (heavy equipment) DETAILS 
<ul>
<li>Incubator</li>
<li>Induction Pad</li>
<li>Pressure cooker</li>
<li>Orbital shaker</li>
</ul>

Obtaining Material and Equipment

Chaitrali — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:20:04 GMT

Chaitrali: Created page with 'While the research team was hard at work on the research paper, the building team focused on the construction of the mobile lab. I constructed a simple portable Incubator for the...'

While the research team was hard at work on the research paper, the building team focused on the construction of the mobile lab. I constructed a simple portable Incubator for the bacteria out of sun-board, mirror sheet and clear acrylic. Tushar and Sharukh worked on a simple Arduino Program to regulate the temperature in the incubator.
Apart from the incubator, a lot of other materials needed to be sourced for the construction of the mobile lab. I scouted out various locations in the City for lab equipment, glassware, autoclavable plastics, chemicals and materials for the water sample collection kit.

The following is the list of equipment obtained for the lab:
<ul>
<li>Safe lock centrifuge tubes/ containers (500) (Vasa Scientific, Avenue road)</li>
<li>Disposable droppers (150) (Vasa Scientific, Avenue Road)</li>
<li>Glass Slides (Vasa Scientific, Avenue Road)</li>
<li>Rubber Gloves (un-powdered) (Local Pharmacy, Yelahanka)</li>
<li>GPS (Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology)</li>
<li>Map of Kolar (Google Maps)</li>
<li>Web Cam Microscope and LCD (NCBS Dumpster Diving)</li>
<li>Luria Broth (Vasa Scientific, Avenue Road)</li>
<li>Agar Agar (Local Supermarket)</li>
<li>Conical Flasks (Vasa Scientific, Avenue Road)</li>
<li>Pipette (Soil Sampling kit prototype, last years iGem batch)</li>
<li>1 ml micro-tips and racks (Vasa Scientific and NCBS dumpster diving)</li>
<li>Test tubes (Sandeep Stationery Stores, Yelahanka)</li>
<li>Sterilizing alcohol (Local Pharmacy, yelahanka)</li>
<li>Petri dishes (Vasa Scientific, avenue road)</li>
<li>U.V light (B.V.K. Iyengar Road)</li>
<li>Old Briefcase (Sunday Market, Sultanpet)</li>
<li>Ranbaxy digital thermometer (Local pharmacy, yelahanka)</li>
<li>Chloroform (Killari Road, Kempe Gowda)</li>
<li>Acrylic Sheets (Mahalaxmi Plastics, B.V.K. Iyengar Road)</li>
<li>Disposable Syringes (local pharmacy, Yelahanka)</li>
</ul>

Mobile Lab Planning

Chaitrali — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:14:43 GMT

Chaitrali:

Apart from developing an economical alternative to expensive electronic devices for water testing in the form of the Arsenic GFP, one of the objectives of our project was to make Science, as a medium, and experimentation overall, a more inclusive, interactive and quite simply enjoyable activity for regular people. We talked about bringing science into people’s homes, deconstructing seemingly complex experiments to allow people to conduct them in their own garages or backyards.
After discussing the possibility of a mobile lab with Urs, Robertina, Mark and Sachiko at the International Hackteria Lab, we thought about a modular laboratory that promoted DIY experimentation and provided simple basic equipment and instructions required to perform pretty much every experiment on the Hackteria Website, or at the very least, the ones that we had conducted thus far.

Planning the Kolar field trip

Chaitrali — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:11:23 GMT

Chaitrali: Created page with 'To test the Arsenic Testing Kits we were hoping to acquire, we needed samples of arsenic contaminated water. Arsenic contamination usually exists in areas where there is fluor...'

To test the Arsenic Testing Kits we were hoping to acquire, we needed samples of arsenic contaminated water. Arsenic contamination usually exists in areas where there is fluoride poisoning caused by extensive mining. The arsenic runoff, along with several other chemicals, seeps through the soil and into the ground water deposits in surrounding areas. The most obvious location that satisfied these pre-requisites and suited our convenience was Kolar, a small district located roughly 75 kms East of Bangalore. Kolar, formerly one of the largest gold mines in the world, had several reported cases of ground water Arsenic contamination levels higher than the W.H.O standards.
To prepare for our field research trip to Kolar, we had to obtain as many arsenic testing kits as possible, to test the accuracy, feasibility and functionality of the kits currently available in the market. We contacted several companies that produced Home Arsenic Testing Kits and made enquiries and placed orders. Only 2 actually responded.
Apart from obtaining testing kits, we had to design a mobile water sampling kit of our own, to obtain samples of arsenic contaminated water for future testing with the Arsenic GFP Bacteria.
The sampling kit would require disposable pipettes or droppers, safe lock tubes or containers, labels, gloves and a GPS to mark the location of the sample collection site. Strips of Litmus Paper and PH paper could be included as well, for preliminary testing.