We finally received the Spirulina growing kit and started making our first prototype over the spring break. The kit came with all the material we needed to get started, along with relatively easy to follow instructions.
Basically, the main ingredients that one needs to get started are:
Spirulina Culture
Nutrients
Alkaline salt mix
filtered water (no chlorine)
We initially made 2 different jars, each containing a different amount of media+culture, put them close(but not directly under) to red and blue LED lights and waited to see what happens. We stirred both mixtures almost everyday and after a few days saw the culture gain a lime green hue. It was growing but slowly.
Meanwhile, Timothy got started on developing automated temperature regulation, using:
Arduino
heat sensor
heating pad
digital display
JQC relay
After a few trials, we finally got the heating pad to self-regulate within a 28-32 degree range. Next, we installed the air-pump and set it to turn on periodically (1 hr on and 1 hr off). We then put the prototype under the LED lights and left it for a couple of days… To our complete shock, the mixture grew much more rapidly with automated heat regulation and periodic aeration, and the culture is now a dark green hue.
Next, we plan to figure out optimal lighting conditions and apply that to our prototype. Then we will start our experiment with a new jar and one for control to see how our automated system affects the growth rate and quality of Spirulina.