For my third co-op, I worked at the Novartis Institutes of BioMedical Research on the Automation and Laboratory Engineering team to engineer solutions supporting the drug discovery process. Not only did I learn a lot through building and troubleshooting the automated systems central to these research operations, but I also gained skills communicating directly with vendors, manufacturers, and field service engineers.
Tecan Evo Liquid Handling SystemOne of my main responsibilities at Novartis was to manage and construct this Tecan Evo Liquid Handling System. The Tecan functions to autonomously dissolve compound powders into solution and aliquot these solutions for delivery to research scientists.
ActionsConstruction
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Cooling SystemI continued a project started by a previous co-op to design a cooling solution for this system. The previous co-op already sourced the cooling module and designed its housing.
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Liquid Level Sensing SystemProblem StatementDevelop an alarm system to alert researchers when waste solution carboy is almost full to prevent overflow
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ResultsWhen the liquid level reaches proximity sensor height, the beacon flashes blue signaling for the carboy to be emptied. This solution is currently implemented on two systems.
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Stack Weight DistributorsProblem Statement
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ResultsThis hardware solution was printed on in-house 3D printers in nylon and is implemented in both the Cambridge, Massachussets and Basel, Switzerland Novartis facilities.
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Compound Management Hardware SolutionsHere's a collection of smaller hardware fixes I added around the laboratory!
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Echo Nose Cone Plug HolderProblem StatementReplace the tape attaching the nose cone plugs to the Labcyte Echo Acoustic Liquid Handlers with a more permanent holder
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