PSPCR

The Paris-Saclay open source PCR thermal cycler project.

Introduction

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a very useful procedure in the field of synthetic biology. However, this technique requires a device called a thermal cycler, which is designed to cycle the samples through different temperature steps. Commercial PCR thermal cyclers are traditionally very expensive, with prices starting at $2000, which makes them hard to afford for small labs and DIY projects.

This project aims at creating a thermal cycler for under 30€ with easily accessible parts.

Comparison with other projects

Some open source PCR thermal cycler projects already exist, but the aim of the PSPCR project is to provide a better and more affordable system, thus filling a gap in the list of existing projects.

Design overview

TODO inclure schema

Solid state heating/cooling

Testing the cooling power

By using a peltier thermoelectric device, the system achieves fast heating and compressor-less cooling, enabling it to reach temperatures ranging from -3°C to 120°C in a relatively short time.

When powered, the Peltier block transfers heat from one of its sides to the other, thus cooling the former while heating the latter. The "heat pumping" direction can be flipped by reversing the direction of the current in the device.

One side of the Peltier is thermally attached to the sample holding aluminium block, while the other one is attached to a computer CPU fan-thermalized radiator. Since the fan keeps the radiator at near-room temperature, the Peltier device can pump heat from(to) it in order to heat(cool) the sample holding block.

Power control

In order to control the current inside the Peltier, and therefore the heat pumping power, the system uses PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). PWM is quite a simple technique : instead of continuously adjusting the current through the Peltier, it works by switching the peltier completely on and off using a high frequency (~1kHz) square signal. The ratio between the duration of the "on time" and the duration of the "off time" in a single signal period defines the mean power provided to the device : 1.0 meaning full power (Peltier always powered), 0.0 meaning zero power (device always off), 0.2 meaning 20% power (Peltier on 20% of the time, and off 80% of the time) for example. This method uses simple binary to control the Peltier power, allowing the usage of a digital micro-controller to drive the Peltier.

TODO image signal crénau

The direction of the current inside the Peltier is controlled using a power H-Bridge circuit. Our H-Bridge consists of two pairs of complementary power MOSFET transistors that can be selectively switched using digital signals in order to choose the direction of the current through the Peltier.

TODO : images 2 situations h-brige

Temperature sensing

Sample temperature feedback is done thanks to a thermistor attached to the sample holding block. A thermistor a resistor with a temperature-dependant value. By using a voltage divider, one can easily use it to obtain a measurable temperature-related voltage.

TODO schema

Digital interface

The digital control system is built around the Atmega8 inexpensive micro-controller which generates the PWM signal for the Peltier device, outputs current direction commands to the H-Bridge subsystem, acquires values from the temperature feedback sensors and provides an USB port for communication with a computer.

The whole system is controlled through the USB port by a computer running specifically designed software. The computer reads temperature feedbacks and sets the Peltier heat transfer direction and power. The software running on the computer provides a user interface allowing the user to select the PCR cycles to run.

Construction

Tolerant design

The PSPCR cycler uses a novel approach for DIY construction : part tolerance. Indeed, the system has the interesting property of being tolerant to reasonable component variations. This lets users choose parts they may already have, or that they can get more easily.

Building the heating/cooling system

• Step 1 : stick a powerful Peltier device (100W+) to a CPU fan-thermalized radiator using thermally conductive paste.

Peltier device stuck to a CPU radiator

• Step 2 : build the sample holder using a 4cm*4cm*1.6cm aluminium block pierced with 16 evenly-spaced holes. For perfect thermal contact, use this kind of drill : GaudiLabs PCR tube drill. If you don't have one, you can approximate the holes using increasingly small radius drills, and then smooth the holes. Another solution (used for the prototype shown here) is to drill simple cylindrical holes and put mineral oil for better thermal contact.

PSPCR prototype sample holder

• Step 3 : stick the radiator&Peltier block to the sample holder with thermal paste and secure it in place in a thermally resistant but non-conductive way (not done yet for the first prototype shown here). Isolate the sides of the sample holder using a thermal insulator or cut a part of your smelly cooking glove to wrap it, this will limit lateral heat losses (not done yet in the first prototype shown here).

PSPCR prototype thermal system

• Step 4 (Not yet implemented) : build the lid using a hinge and aluminium, and stick a less powerful Peltier element (~60W) or a Kapton heater or any other low power 12V heater so that it covers the sample holder when the lid is closed. You'll also have to stick another thermistor to it for lid temperature sensing purposes. This lid is useful for keeping the sample tops at 103 in order to prevent water condensation inside the PCR tubes.

Building the electronic control system

• Step 1 : build the electronics.

Electronic diagram (click to enlarge)