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Manufacturing : incubation, post-traitment

Manufacturing time is the period between the micro organisms grows ( incubation) and making final results when I decide to stop it to grow for fixing the state in the time. The micro organisms will be dry and stop to grows to going on the post traitment for making the application intended.

Incubation

Incubation is the period during which the micro organisms grows.

For making incubation I need " incubate system".

I was really thinking to make an incubator and starting to following tutorial, but after a time of reflexion finally making it was not the priority of my project. There are lot of models DIY tutorial for making incubator

Inspirations and researchs

Finally my conditions was:

  • Something we found easily at home or arround us
  • Multifonctions, modulable
  • Transportable
  • Not to big

The differents methods I used and tested:

  • Yogurt maker
  • Aquarium heater
  • Heat mat
  • Natural conditions

The test realized during Fabricademy was made during winter season. I was needed to use energy for making a hot humid spot for them.

Yogurt maker

Before incubate micro-organisms, I was really woried about how I will make this quick with not special machines and no order something for start a culture. After few talks in the lab, Audrey Kalic suggest me a yogurt maker. Such a good idea!Big thanks Audrey!

Material for incubation Details
Incubator Yogurt maker with towel
Material Thermometer with sonde

Put the jar or the container them in the yogurt maker with the towel on top. 
Use the thermometer for following the temperature arround 26°-28°.

Remarks

Materials: I discover how the yogurt maker is nice for starting experimentations with jar and petri dishes, the size is adapt for little containers.

Incubation: I observ to using it is better with a substrate having enough liquid, water inside. There are a tendance to dry the experimentations if there are not enough humidity inside.

Machine: I prefer the model with ON OFF button for not having to putting again the timer. They are going till 30° degree. I add a towel up them for keeping the warmth and having CO2 moving easily and making a decreasing of the temperature bewing less hot.

Aquarium heater

After using yogurt maker I would like to test more bigger incubation and discover the aquarium heater.

Source

Material for incubation Details
Incubator Aquarium heater, heat mat
Material Thermometer with sonde, plastic box, water, container for making structure inside the plastic box

Remarks

Materials:

Adapted for having more bigger containers.

Incubation:

This create a high level of humidity, the temperature was difficult sometimes to keep it in 26°.

Machine:

I had troubles with the aquarium heater, he stopped working when was not full immerged of water. I add some heat mat behing the plastic box for helping it to go more up.

Natural condition

Material for incubation Details
Incubator /
Material Thermometer with sonde, containers for the experimentations
Storage place Cave and in the lab

Remarks

The natural condition is for me the best when it's possible, didn't need others energy's. The temperature is moving and the incubation during winter is really slow. The cave is nice for having a regular one.

Drying

Drying is taking the decision to stop the growing phase.

I use different drying methods:

  • Oven
  • Heat press
  • Natural

Oven

I use oven for stop growing the mycelium. For drying it completely it's take long time. In the future I would like to test with solar oven.

Material for drying Details
Machine Oven
Material support for addind mycelium in oven

Heat press

I use heat press for the compression and making mycelium more plate. It's inspire by the research of Elise Elsacker.

Material for drying and post traitment Details
Machine heat press
Material baker paper

Natural drying

It's take time but didn't consom energy. Better when there are sun. For some test I was mixing to use oven little bit and natural drying.

Post-traitment

Post traitment it's for me the final step after the drying part. Adding some softner, molding it, cutting engraving it... and more.

It's going close to an application.

Material for post traitment Details
Machine Laser cutter, Vacuum
Ingredients Glycerol

Last update: 2023-10-21