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Autotitrator

The figure on the right shows a titration curve acquired using our autotitrator, the Titraumatic. There is a video demonstrating some features of the software below the figure.

The Titraumatic incorporates our syringe pump and a Vernier Instruments  pH probe.  Please note that we are in the process of updating our syringe pump design.  The autotitrator is controlled from your computer using a microntroller board and an open-source user interface.   We began developing this instrument to run titration demonstrations for our university level freshman chemistry class.  The titraumatic allows the instructor to run a pH titration while lecturing and to project the results for the class in real time.  In contrast to a typical end-point titration, presenting the entire titration curve can be used to introduce the students to the effects of added base (or acid) outside of the end point range.  That is, it can be used to teach about equilibrium, or buffers, or acid / base strengths. 

While the instrument is still under development, you can see from our initial results that the instrument shows promise. 

Hardware Requirements:

The circuit board layout for our syringe pump / auto titrator is compatible for use in our autotitrator with minimal modification.  In addition to a Brittish Telecommunications Analog (BTA) connector for the pH probe, the titrator circuit board incorporates a voltage regulator and connectors needed to control an automated valve.   If you wish to use your pump as an autotitrator, please contact us before ordering. 

In addition to our Syringe Pump, you will need a Vernier Instruments pH probe (see link on right for Vernier Instruments).  At the time I wrote this, the pH probe retailed for $80.  While it is entirely possible to run titrations with out the automatic valve, this feature allows the user to set up to automate the fill / dispense features.  The automated valve assembly uses a valve from Hamilton Co (costs ~$110), a servo (~$20) and some 3D printed hardware. 

WHAT'S UP?

CURRENT PROJECTS:

If you would like me to put more effort into one of these projects, please send an email telling me which one.

 

The WheeStat Potentiostat.

After years of slow development, we finally have our new model in stock.  The Pico 2.1 boasts a number of design improvements and can source +/- 40 mA. We are working on a high current module that will increase the current output.

 

Spectroscopy Projects.

The spectrometer is coming along.  This is a project that deserves more attention than I have been giving it.  We recently found out that integration periods are limited by the software to about 56 ms or less.  The issue has to do with rolling over a 16 bit counter.  While the 56 ms limitation should not affect most applications, there are others (perhaps astronomical applications) may require longer integration times.  We are working on this and I think I have it fixed in new firmware.  If this is something you are concerned about, contact me at my gmail address and I will get back to you.

I began work on a microtiter plate reader based on our spectrometer. I am looking forward to getting back to that project.

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Electrocardiograph (ECG, also called EKG).

This seems like something that might be worthwhile.  While I have no plan to go through the paperwork to get FDA approval, there are a lot of people in the world who I think would benefit from the availability of low cost medical devices, especially in lower income countries.  I have already submitted a circuit board for fabrication.  Here is a link to the design we are starting with.  A schematic is presented on page 19.

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Stuff we have done recently:

Electrochemical Detector for Capillary Electrophoresis:

  Work during summer 2020 focused on developing an isolated, battery powered potentiostat for use in capillary electrophoresis.  The instrument is based on the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W communicating over WiFi with a windows based host computer.  The Pi and attendant electronics are powered using a 12 volt lead-acid battery. I think this went rather well, but I have not heard back from our partners on this project.

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Migration from Texas Instruments based microcontrollers:

I have decided that TI is just not interested in helping the Maker community.  While I feel like I could probably get them to work with me, They do not seem to play well with the community that I choose to serve.

While I have migrated our spectroscopy effort to incorporate the Arduino compatible Teensy 4.1, I am still looking at other Arduino compatible options.  Mostly, I plan to use the Raspberry Pi Pico. I plan to have our instruments contain an Arduino compatible bootloader so others in the community can modify and upload the code

 

 

 

CONTACT

4989 Tilley Creek Road

Cullowhee, NC 28723

Tel: 828-201-0233
 

 

Mail:  j6summers@gmail.com

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