Inexpensive Miniature Programmable Magnetic Stirrer from Reconfigured Computer Parts

Abstract

This technology report outlines a robust and easy to assemble magnetic stirrer that is programmable. All of the parts are recycled from obsolete computer hardware except the Arduino microcontroller and motor driver, at a total cost of around $40. This multidisciplinary approach introduces microcontrollers to students and grants the opportunity to interface basic computer programming with practical applications in chemistry. Utilizing the popular Arduino board empowers students to control laboratory devices, which in turn enhances enjoyment and understanding.

Multiplexed Electrochemical Cancer Diagnostics With Automated Microfluidics

“…The capture chambers are then filled with Ab 2 ‐HRP‐MB followed by antigen standard solution containing protein mixture to be assayed. After a 10 min incubation period, assisted by magnetic stirrer , the contents of the capture chambers are directed, by valve and pump actuation, towards detection chambers and left to incubate for 10 min (Scheme ). Screen printed carbon sensors modified with primary antibodies recognise and isolate proteins captured by the magnetic bead conjugate.…”

“…The microfluidic platform consists of a microcontrolled syringe pump , three microcontrolled servo‐valves , a microcontrolled fabricated magnetic stirrer , two capture chambers, two detection chambers, two liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and an Arduino Uno microcontroller (Figure ). The LCDs visual display output is defined by 20×4 character displays and are programmed to update the system operator on tasks being, and to be, performed.…”

Cost-Effective Wireless Microcontroller for Internet Connectivity of Open-Source Chemical Devices

“…2 This provides an opportunity for fabrication and control of laboratory hardware using common microelectronics, 3,4 such as the Arduino microcontrollers. 5,6 The benefit of microcontrollers to students of chemistry has been reported before, 4,[7][8][9][10][11][12] along with a study that suggests technical instrument learning combined with guided inquiry increases students problem solving skills. 13 Students typically interact with instruments in the laboratory, and although commercial instrumentation can be operated remotely, 14 microcontrollers used in chemistry do not usually include wireless technology.…”

A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Arduino-Based Education in Korean Primary and Secondary Schools in Engineering Education

“…In the classroom activities of gifted students, experimental devices or data collection devices are sometimes used. Arduino can be used to replace existing expensive experimental devices (Arrizabalaga et al, 2017;D'Ausilio, 2012;Goncalves et al, 2019;Hahn et al, 2019;Jin et al, 2018;Mercer & Leech, 2017;Omar, 2018;Pino et al, 2019;Ragazzini et al, 2019;Sarao et al, 2016;Soong et al, 2018;Uyanik & Catalbas, 2018) and in automated data collection or measurement devices to process data more efficiently (Galeriu, 2018;Galeriu et al, 2015;Kubinova & Slegr, 2015;Nichols, 2017;Wong et al, 2015). Furthermore, because many gifted students choose STEM majors in college (Vu et al, 2019), a proper Arduino education can be an effective method of attracting talented people in engineering.…”

“…Arduino was also used in the teaching of programming (Litts et al, 2019;Montironi et al, 2017;Perez & Lopez, 2019), in STEAM education (Lu & Ma, 2019), and as a teaching aid (Carvalho & Hahn, 2016;Kang et al, 2019;Perenc et al, 2019;Rivera-Ortega et al, 2018). Furthermore, Arduino has been used to replace existing expensive laboratory equipment (Arrizabalaga et al, 2017;D'Ausilio, 2012;Goncalves et al, 2019;Hahn et al, 2019;Jin et al, 2018;Mercer & Leech, 2017;Omar, 2018;Pino et al, 2019;Ragazzini et al, 2019;Sarao et al, 2016;Soong et al, 2018;Uyanik & Catalbas, 2018), in automatic data collection and measurement equipment (Galeriu, 2018;Galeriu et al, 2015;Kubinova & Slegr, 2015;Nichols, 2017;Wong et al, 2015), and in prototype implementation (Escobar et al, 2017). Accordingly, attempts have been made recently to apply Arduino to education in primary and secondary schools as a device to help people realize projects that were previously possible only in their imagination (Galeriu et al, 2014), These attempts have become an important opportunity for ordinary students to experience engineering education because microcontrollers, which were only available to minority engineers in computer science or electronics a few years ago in specialized laboratories, are now accessible to ordinary students in ordinary classrooms.…”