Temperature Control System for Preparing Reagents - ECE443-Sp26

Spring 2026

This system will be a programmable automated system that controls reagent temperatures. It is designed for lab technicians and researchers who require a temperature range between -20°C and 37°C, specifically those researching gynecological cancers and diseases. Through user-friendly controls, the system aims to diminish the amount of manual intervention required by automating heating and cooling. This reduces preparation time, improves workflow efficiency, and enhances consistency. The device will combine heating and cooling elements, temperature sensors, a configurable display, and a portable design. It will provide accurate temperature control, safety measures, and real-time data logging. The development process is ongoing as we complete the design phase and enter the implementation/manufacturing phase. Most project requirements were satisfied, including temperature sensing, microcontroller-based control, heating functionality, and active cooling operation. The cooling subsystem presented the greatest engineering challenge due to the thermal limitations of thermoelectric cooling modules. Several design iterations were required to improve thermal performance through enhanced heatsinking, airflow management, and insulation. One major challenge encountered during implementation was heat dissipation from the hot side of the Peltier module. Initial testing showed that insufficient heatsinking significantly reduced cooling performance and prevented the chamber from reaching the desired low temperatures. This issue was addressed by integrating a CPU heatsink with active fan cooling and applying thermal paste to improve thermal transfer efficiency. Another challenge involved power distribution, as the Peltier module required substantially more current than the microcontroller circuitry. This issue was resolved through the use of a dedicated 12 V power supply and MOSFET driver modules to safely switch high-current loads.

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Project Poster Temperature Control System for Preparing Reagents Project Poster   Download
Executive Summary Temperature Control System for Preparing Reagents Executive Summary   Download
Project Document Temperature Control System for Preparing Reagents Project Document   Download
Project Summary Video Temperature Control System for Preparing Reagents Project Summary Video   Link
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