Resistance

Team Toxipop started off the summer focusing on measuring changes in resistance. Much of our summer work was devoted to the construction of an electrical circuit and measuring apparatus unique to our purpose. Many additions were made to the apparatus each week. Below, you will find information about the different "versions" of the apparatus including final information about our switch to Conductivity.

Resistance

Design V1

Design V1

Our first apparatus design was rather simple. We started with a voltmeter and a Gorillapod. We believed the Voltmeter would allow us to measure changes in resistance over time as our cells lysed. The probes of the voltmeter were attached to the Gorillapod, thus fixing the distance between them. The cell solution was contained in a Petri dish into which the probes were lowered.

Problems:The petri dish setup only allowed us to do one test at a time. Also, having to keep the entire dish open for hours on end allowed for evaporation of the solution, thus changing the volume and affecting the resistance measurements. It was also difficult to ensure that the probes were exactly the same distance apart between tests.

Design V2

We started off the summer with the goal of constructing a measuring apparatus that would offer provide consistent and reliable resistance readings. There were several parameters that needed to be kept constant in order to get good readings. Taken from the equation for resistance measurement, as shown above, we made sure to keep the electrodes stationary and at a fixed distant in each different sample of bacteria. Our second apparatus was made with Legos and poster board. At this point we only had a standard voltmeter that could detect large resistance changes between different salt solutions. The changes we expected to see, however, were on a much smaller scale.

Our First Apparatus

Revisions to the First Apparatus

• Our first apparatus presented many complications. First and foremost was the sensitivity factor. We calculated the amount of E. coli bacteria cells expected in each sample and the corresponding net ionic content. These values cannot be accurately measured with a standard voltmeter.
• In addition, the electrodes of the first apparatus did not remain stationary and were difficult to manage. They were made of Copper alloy and multi-stranded. The copper was most likely performing redox chemistry. The DNA and other charged particles released from the cells collected on the wires throughout the experiment.
• The new apparatus and computer software permitted us to control the Voltage Input and Current type. Electroporation was always considered and a low voltage had to be used to prevent this potential problem.

The new apparatus implemented an Alternating Current instead of a Direct Current. The Alternating Current prevents the migration of charged molecules to one electrode, thus drastically affecting the resistance reading.

• Our new apparatus utilized a Data Aquistion Card and the LabView Program. Team Toxipop created an electrical circuit within LabView.
• The new apparatus also consisted of a six-well plate, PDMS Mold, and Platinum Wires.

New Apparatus

New Apparatus

The FINAL Apparatus

• After much work with our resistance apparatus, Team Toxipop made the transition to conductivity measurements with a Vernier Go!Link Conductivity Probe.

You can take readings in units of conductivity (µS/cm) or concentration (mg/L TDS as NaCl). The Conductivity Probe can monitor conductivity at three different sensitivity settings:

• 0-100 mg/L TDS or 0-200 µS/cm
• 0-1000 mg/L TDS or 0-2000 µS/cm
• 0-10000 mg/L TDS or 0-20,000 µS/cm

Conductivity is directly proportional to concentration over the entire range.

The probe has a fast response time, reaching 98% of full value in less than 5 seconds. You can load saved calibrations using any of the Vernier data-collection programs. Alternatively, you can do a quick two-point calibration: the probe is left out of solution for one calibration point (0 µS/cm) and is placed in a known standard (1000 µS/cm solution is provided) for a second calibration point. More precise calibration in two different standards is also possible using our software.

The Conductivity Probe uses alternating current at its electrodes; this prevents polarization and electrolysis, so that solutions being tested are not fouled. Corrosion of metal electrodes is not a problem with this epoxy-body graphite electrode. It has built-in temperature compensation, which allows you to do your calibrations in the lab, and then make measurements outdoors without temperature changes affecting conductivity readings. -http://www.vernier.com/probes/con-bta.html

• The Conductivity Probe removed any problems having do with stationary electrodes and protein and DNA buildup.