In the end it turns out that not only will I not be building the thiobacillus powered acid etching and datalogging device but I won’t be building the artists version muio-based fermenter either. After my misplaced optimism about it being affordable, having seen Ph probes for about 30 quid, I discovered that dissolved oxygen and conductivity probes cost more in the region of 200. Apparently laboratory equipment is habitually given a ludicrous price tag, and having scanned the Fisher life sciences catalogue I’m amazed at just how much. The plan is officially shelved until more funding comes in.
But, to prove lab gear doesn’t all have to cost the earth I’ve built this
behold
It’s a pretty simple device. A soil sample is wrapped up in kitchen paper like a teabag and placed in a small amount of water in the funnel. 24 hours later you draw of some water at the tap at the bottom and it should be rich with nematodes. The next post will probably say if it has worked or not…