Re: [PLOTS] Microscope help in NYC

[Matt Harbowy]

Amanda:

Your project sounds really worthwhile. I want to make sure you have the best shot at success, but all my microscopy resources are currently in San Francisco.

Do you know of GenSpace NYC? They have the equipment you need, I think, and the experience. You should be able to google them, and if you can't find or contact them directly, I will reach out to Ellen Jorgensen and see if she or one of the other great people at GenSpace can help you. I am copying the DIYBio list, so someone from there should reach out to you as well.

Best Regards,

-matt

Counter Culture Labs, Oakland, CA

Matt Harbowy -hberg...@gmail.com

650 243 8467 - @hbergeronx on Twitter

On Jan 4, 2015, at 1:03 PM, Amanda Prinzo <amanda...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello there!

I've been a lurker in the group for some time, so let me introduce myself. My name is Amanda and I'm working on a project to mechanize bokashi composting, which uses anaerobic fermentation to process organic waste as a soil amendment. I should note that this is not a biogas digester; the environment and bacteria differ from what you would do to get biogas. Actually, there are supposedly no GHG emissions (we intend to test that later on).

We just completed our first run of a prototype, and I'm hoping I can find someone in the group based in NYC who can help us look at the results under a microscope to determine whether we were successful. If anyone is interested, I can give you more info about what we're looking for.

Thank you,

Amanda

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[Amanda Prinzo]

Hi Matt and the DIYBio list,

My team has mechanized a composting approach called bokashi, which inoculates organic matter in an anaerobic environment using a mix of bacteria referred to as "EM" (essential microorganisms) containing Saccharomyces spp., Lactobacillus spp., and Rhodopseudomonas spp. The result is fermented organic waste that can be used like compost, basically probiotics for the soil. It's popular for home use because it doesn't smell and works pretty fast, but it's typically applied in a low tech process using plastic buckets. 

Our project has been to automate it and make it even faster, with intentions to scale into a municipal facility. We bought some wireless sensors for quality control purposes to help determine when it's "done", and now what we really want to find out is what the microbial population of the end product looks like after fermentation is complete. We want to be able to substantiate claims about its composition and benefits, but also prove that it's safe (mostly by ruling out pathogens). Ideally we'd also like to compare this to the same material before treatment.  

For anyone interested, there's also a possibility to join the team long term. Someone who is knowledgeable about soil science would be a huge plus.

Thanks,

Amanda