Design of Incubator System for Laboratory: Development, Implementation, and Performance Evaluation

Abstract

Laboratory incubators play a pivotal role in microbiology research by facilitating the incubation and propagation of microorganisms. However, conventional incubators are often limited to specific sample containers and models, necessitating the use of multiple units for different applications. In response to this challenge, this study presents the development of a multifunctional digital incubator using acrylic materials and digital temperature control. The aim was to create an incubator capable of accommodating various sample containers, including tubes and microplates, within a single unit. The designed incubator features dimensions of 40cm x 40cm x 40cm, with the capacity to hold one rack of 48 tubes (measuring 27x9.5x8cm) and four microplates. It consumes 350VA of power and utilizes a BR6 temperature control system to maintain a precise temperature of 37±1°C. Performance testing revealed temperature variations of only 0.1°C (0.21%) within the permissible range of ±1°C, while timer accuracy was demonstrated at 100%. Measurements were conducted using a thermohygrometer and stopwatch. The developed multifunctional digital incubator meets the intended objectives, offering researchers a versatile and reliable tool for various laboratory applications, including ELISA assays and clinical chemistry experiments.