25 24 Some 50 scientists are working on so-called artificial photo- synthesis at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg under the leadership of biologist and chemist Prof. Dr. Tobias Erb. Their declared aim is to create artificial cells that bind and convert the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide by means of light energy – and more efficiently than nature. The synthetically produced chloroplasts – so-called droplets, with a diameter of 90 micrometres – could be used in automated bioreactors in future and will make a sustainable contribution to climate protection. To achieve this on an industrial scale as quickly as possible, the research team is cooperating in an interdisciplinary exchange with the automation specialists from Festo. For the droplet experiments, the researchers are using a special bioreactor from Festo that is designed to meet their scientific requirements. They are also supported by intelligent LifeTech systems and components. An innovative dispensing robot, for example, assumes the time-consuming laboratory tasks that are necessary for optimising the artificial cells. This synergetic form of work is of benefit not only to automation and basic re- search, but above all to society and the environment. Artificial photosynthesis Cooperation with a Max Planck research team Facts and figures Technical information PhotoBionicCell bioreactor – Overall height: 3.0 m – Surface collectors: 5.0 m2 – Collector radius: 1.6 – 2.7 m – Cultivator Height: 57.0 cm Diameter: 25.0 cm Capacity: 15.0 l – Algae layer thickness: 5.5 cm – Materials of the lightweight structures Bioreactor: acrylic glass Connecting clamps: polyhydroxybutyric acid (PHB) Nodes: QuickGen 500 (3D-printed material) Connecting rods: acrylic glass (glass-bead blasted) Distribution elements: e-Clear (3D-printed material) – Sensors inside the bioreactor: 14 – Multisensors outside the bioreactor: 1 (5 parameters) – Quantum sensor: 1 – Monitoring parameters: 9 – Pumps: 12 Research bioreactor – Overall height: 35.0 cm – Diameter: 13.5 cm – Capacity: 2.0 l – Cultivation capacity: 1.5 l – Algae layer thickness: 0.37 cm – Sensors inside the bioreactor: 13 – Monitoring parameters: 9 – Pumps: 7 User interface – Festo Web Essentials for generating the web interface – Data storage every 30 s – Bidirectional communication (between edge devices and user interface) – Communication protocols: OPC-UA and MQTT Dispensing robot – Filling time for 96-microtitre plate: 60 s – Volumes: 5 µl – 1 ml – Repeatability: +/- 1% – Valves: 8 VYKA (individually controllable) – Intuitive operation – Web-based interface
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