# BIO-SPEC: An open-source bench-top parallel bioreactor system

## TL;DR

BIO-SPEC is an affordable, open-source bioreactor system that offers a reliable and flexible alternative to expensive commercial systems for microbiology and bioprocessing research.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the development of a modular, low-cost, and open-source bioreactor system with thermoelectric condensers and Raspberry Pi control.

## Key findings

- BIO-SPEC eliminates the need for a chiller by using thermoelectric condensers.
- The system is controlled via a Raspberry Pi, allowing flexible headplate and feeding configurations.
- BIO-SPEC provides a cost-effective alternative to commercial bioreactors for batch and chemostat cultivation.

## Abstract

The BIO-SPEC is an open-source, cost-effective, and modular bench-top bioreactor system designed for batch, sequencing batch, and chemostat cultivation. Featuring thermoelectric condensers to eliminate the need for a chiller, it ensures stable long-term operation. Controlled by a Raspberry Pi, the BIO-SPEC offers flexibility in headplate design, gas supply, and feeding strategies, making it a versatile alternative to high-cost commercial systems. This paper details the design, construction, and validation of the BIO-SPEC system, demonstrating its potential to advance microbiology and bioprocessing research through accessible and reliable hardware at a fraction of the cost of commercial systems.