π’ AC Training Labο
Warning
This is an ongoing project. If you would like to participate or are interested in contributing, please introduce yourself or reach out to sterling.baird@utoronto.ca.
The Acceleration Consortium (AC) Training Lab is a remotely accessible facility that houses a diverse set of physical hardware for self-driving laboratories (SDLs) including liquid handlers, solid dispensers, Cartesian-axis systems, mobile robotic arms, and synthesis and characterization modules. Where possible, both educational and research-grade hardware are included. The AC Training Lab is used to develop and test SDLs and to provide a platform for training students and researchers in the use of SDLs. The AC Training Lab GitHub repository also acts as an example of setting up an autonomous laboratory.
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The equipment in the training lab can be broadly categorized in the following categories: characterization, prototyping, synthesis, dispensing, environment, and infrastructure. See the image below for an example of some of the equipment intended for the AC Training Lab.
Here are some of the modules we have procured and are in the process of setting up (help wanted if youβre in Toronto!):
Name |
Image |
Qty |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1(+4) |
A versatile, open-source toolchanger with a large community of users and developers which is used for both general 3D printing and scientific applications. One nearing completion. Four more planned. |
|
|
2 |
A DIY open-source microscope with a fine-positioning, motorized stage. Reflection illumination version of Delta Stage |
|
|
1 |
An open-source and cost-friendly commercial liquid handler |
|
|
1 |
An open-source commercial liquid handler tailored towards high-throughput and advanced liquid handling operations |
|
|
1 |
An educational six-axis robotic arm |
|
|
1 |
An educational six-axis mobile cobot with a 3D depth camera and lidar |
|
MyCobot 280 and MyAGV |
|
1 |
An educational six-axis mobile cobot |
|
1 |
An automated solid dispensing station, usually marketed for ammunition reloading, but to be used as a general-purpose powder doser |
|
|
1 |
An automated solid dispensing station, usually marketed for ammunition reloading, but to be used as a general-purpose powder doser |
|
|
1 |
An automated solid dispensing station, usually marketed for ammunition reloading, but to be used as a general-purpose powder doser |
|
|
1 |
XPR105DU is a commercial, automated powder doser by Mettler-Toledo |
|
|
1 |
A commercially sold and mostly open-source chocolate 3D printer kit |
|
|
1 |
24/7 autonomous SLA 3D printer with camera inspection |
|
Form 3L package |
|
1 |
A large-format SLA printer with wash and cure stations |
|
1 |
An open-source automated turntable controlled by a stepper motor and designed for photography applications |
|
|
1 |
A DIY linear actuator-based syringe pump designed for easy handling by robotic arms |
|
|
1 |
A commercially sold, open-source automated system with heating, stirring, liquid handling, spectrometry, and optogenetics characterization geared towards biological research |
|
|
1 |
A commercially sold, open-source automated bioreactor with heating, stirring, and optical density measurements |
|
|
5 |
A commercially sold, open-source potentiostat for electrochemical experiments with current measurement ranges of +/- 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1mA. |
|
|
1 |
A commercially sold, open-source potentiostat for electrochemical experiments with current measurement ranges of +/- 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10mA. |
|
|
1 |
An entry-level research-grade potentiostat with eight ranges between +/- 10 nA and +/- 100 mA and a Python API |
|
|
1 |
A commercially sold, open-source pressure regulator for controlling pneumatically-driven microfluidic chips |
|
|
1 |
A commercially sold, open source set of introductory modular optics cubes for microscopy |
|
|
1 |
An automated vial capping and decapping machine by DH-Robotics |
Here are some modules we are considering, planning for, or are in the process of procuring:
Name |
Image |
Qty |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Mobile manipulator |
1 |
A research-grade six-axis mobile cobot with vision capabilities optimized for laboratory environments |
|
Desktop SEM |
1 |
A desktop scanning electron microscope (SEM) with Python integrations |
|
Chamber interfaces (TBD) |
- |
e.g., miniature glovebox, miniature ductless fumehood, small nitrogen generator |
|
Low-force tensile tester |
1 |
Low-cost, open-source tensile tester. Examples [1], [2], [3], [4] |
Workflowsο
The AC Training Lab is intended as a hands-on sandbox and prototyping environment for researchers. Each workflow will either be dedicated (permanent) or supported (non-permanent).
Dedicated Workflowsο
While the equipment is not restricted to particular workflows, we are actively developing a subset of readily accessible workflows for the AC Training Lab. Note that single workflow could be carried out using different sets of equipment within the training lab. These workflows will use dedicated hardware in a permanent setup to allow for 24/7 access. The core workflows that are planned, in development, or available are listed below:
Name |
Diagram |
Description |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Light-based color matching |
|
Adjust red, green, and blue LED power levels to match a target color |
Ready |
Liquid-based color matching |
|
Adjust diluted red, yellow, and blue food coloring pumping power to match a target color |
Ready |
Solid-based color matching |
|
Adjust the composition of red, yellow, and blue powder (e.g., wax) and processing conditions to match a target color |
Development |
Chocolate tensile testing |
Adjust the composition and processing conditions of 3D printed chocolate tensile specimens to tune the microstructure for maximization of tensile strength |
Development |
|
Adjust reactor temperature to maximize yeast growth and explore nonlinear effects |
Development |
||
Titration |
Add a base of known concentration to an acid to find the equivalence point as determined by successive pH measurements |
Development |
|
Conductivity |
Adjust the ratio of battery electrolyte reagants to maximize conductivity and redox potential for a target pH |
Planning |
|
Polymer cross-linkage |
Planning |
Supported Workflowsο
Supported workflows (i.e., non-permanent setups) that are planned, in development, or available are listed below:
Name |
Diagram |
Description |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Alkaline Catalysis Lifecycle Testing |
Adjust the stress-cycling conditions of a nickel electrode in a KOH solution to investigate the cause of catalyst degredation |
Development |
|
Material recycling |
Incorporate the use of βwasteβ experimental samples as part of a recycling workflow using mixed red, yellow, and blue solid powders |
Development |
Functionalityο
This refers to the infrastructure-focused capabilities showcased in the AC Training Lab. The core functionalities (intended as permanent demos) that are planned, development, or available are listed below. These functionalities may either be standalone or part of the workflows listed above.
Name |
Diagram |
Description |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Vial transfer (stationary) |
Move a vial between adjacent modules |
Ready |
|
Vial transfer (mobile) |
Move a sample to a different location |
Development |
|
Vial capping/decapping |
Cap or decap a vial |
Development |
|
Tool changing |
Swap a tool on a robotic arm |
Development |
Feedbackο
We would love to get suggestions on the types of workflows and functions youβd like to see in the AC Training Lab! For additional training opportunities offered by the Acceleration Consortium, please navigate to AC Microcourses.