Other Environmental Applications
Biomethane Potential
Biomethane potential (BMP) refers to the maximum amount of biomethane that can be produced from the anaerobic digestion of organic materials under ideal conditions. This term is commonly used in the context of biogas production, where organic materials such as agricultural waste, sewage sludge, or food waste are broken down by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen. The BMP is typically expressed in terms of volume of methane produced per unit mass of organic material (e.g., liters of methane per kilogram of volatile solids). This metric is crucial for evaluating the feasibility and efficiency of biogas plants, as it helps determine how much energy can be generated from a given amount of biomass. Understanding the BMP of various substrates helps in optimizing the mix of materials fed into biogas reactors to maximize methane production and, consequently, energy output. The methane generated can be used for electricity and heat production, enhancing farm sustainability, and reducing environmental impacts. Research supports informed decision-making for the implementation of biogas systems in farms, aligning with broader goals of sustainable agriculture and energy independence. Respirometry can provide detailed insights into the metabolic rates and health of microbial communities involved in anaerobic digestion.
Insect Respiration
Studying insect respiration is vital for several reasons, extending beyond basic biological interest to practical applications in agriculture, medicine, and environmental management. Understanding how insects breathe is crucial for developing effective pest control strategies; knowing the specifics of their respiratory systems can lead to targeted approaches that disrupt air intake or gas exchange, proving fatal to pests without harming other organisms. Furthermore, insights gained from insect respiration can drive innovations in biomimetic design, such as creating more efficient ventilation systems in engineering by mimicking the highly effective natural design of insect tracheae. Additionally, as environmental indicators, changes in insect respiratory activity can help scientists assess ecological health and monitor the impacts of environmental stressors, such as pollutants or climate change, on biological systems. The study of insect respiration not only enriches our understanding of entomological physiology and supports biodiversity conservation but also allows us to manage and innovate within our natural and constructed environments.
Bioleaching
Bioleaching is an environmentally friendly technique that harnesses natural materials like water, air, and microorganisms to extract metals from sulfide ores. This method relies on specific bacteria and archaea that catalyze the oxidation of these minerals, differing from traditional acid leaching which is limited to oxidized minerals. Commercially, bioleaching is employed to extract key metals such as copper, nickel, cobalt, zinc, and uranium, while bio-oxidation, a related process, is used in gold processing and coal desulfurization. In practice, bioleaching involves microbes converting iron sulfides into ferric sulfate and sulfuric acid, facilitating the leaching of metals like copper, and making uranium soluble. Bio-oxidation aids in exposing gold within refractory ores for efficient cyanide leaching and helps remove sulfur impurities from coal by oxidizing pyrite.
Fermentation
Fermentation studies require precise measurements of gas exchanges like oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production, essential for assessing microbial metabolism. Systems enabling real-time, continuous monitoring substantially enhance the understanding and optimization of fermentation processes in fields such as biofuel research, food science, and pharmaceuticals. Their versatility allows for precise control over experimental variables, optimization of microbial efficiency, and assessment of fermentation kinetics, crucial for scaling processes effectively. Additionally, these systems are useful in ecological and environmental research to explore the biodegradation of organic materials, providing key insights into the environmental impacts of various substances. This monitoring aids in developing more sustainable industrial practices and understanding microbial behavior, thus driving biotechnological innovations and environmental conservation efforts.
How the Micro-Oxymax Can Benefit Research
The Columbus Instruments’ Micro-Oxymax system is a highly adaptable general-purpose closed-circuit respirometer. The system monitors the concentration of gas contained within an enclosed head space into which the material being monitored is respiring. Periodic sensing of the gas concentration, along with an equally accurate measurement of the volume of the head space, allows calculations of incremental and accumulated values for consumption and production. The Micro-Oxymax design principle provides a sensing threshold near 2 x 10-7 liter per hour. The system can be configured for single or multiple gas sensing. Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and a variety of other gases can be sensed over specially selected ranges to meet almost any application.
The Micro-Oxymax is a modular system that can support testing biodegradability in all environments. An initial configuration for basic investigations can be expanded later to include additional gases and/or chambers. The software automates many aspects of the test with a single set of sensors to calibrate, it takes only a few minutes to begin a test. The system automatically compensates for changes in pressure and temperature and converts evolved carbon dioxide to STP for easy conversion into milligrams.
Columbus Instruments
Other Environmental Applications
Products
Discover unparalleled precision and accuracy with Columbus Instruments
Products
Alzheimer's Disease
Products
Anorexia
Products
Anxiety Disorders
Products
Arthritis
Products
Autism
Products
Cachexia
Products
Cardiovascular
Products
Dementia
Products
Depression
Products
Diabetes
Products
Dietary Supplements
Products
Drug Abuse (NIDA only)
Products
Endocrine Disruptors
Products
Heart Disease
Products
Hypertension
Products
Kidney Disease
Products
Mental Health
Products
Microbiome
Products
Multiple Sclerosis
Products
Muscular Dystrophy
Products
Neurodegenerative
Products
Neurosciences
Products
Nutrition
Products
Obesity
Products
Osteoporosis
Products
Pain
Products
Parkinson's Disease
Products
Physical Activity
Products
Regenerative Medicine
Products
Rehabilitation
Products
Rett Syndrome
Products
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Products
Sarcopenia
Products
Schizophrenia
Products
Sleep Research
Products
Spinal Cord Injury
Products
Stroke
Products
Urologic Diseases
Discover unparalleled precision and accuracy with Columbus Instruments
The Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System allows for 24-hour, automated, non-invasive collection of several physiological and behavioral parameters.
The Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System allows for 24-hour, automated, non-invasive collection of several physiological and behavioral parameters.
Columbus Instruments treadmills are state-of-the-art systems engineered for automated, non-invasive monitoring of laboratory animal activity, delivering precise and reliable data for physiology and behavior research.
Columbus Instruments treadmills are state-of-the-art systems engineered for automated, non-invasive monitoring of laboratory animal activity, delivering precise and reliable data for physiology and behavior research.
Precisely controlled enclosures for regulating temperature and light conditions in research studies.
Precisely controlled enclosures for regulating temperature and light conditions in research studies.
The Columbus Instruments Mouse Home Cage Running Wheel measures spontaneous activity in a voluntary free-spinning running wheel. The wheel is constructed to fit universally into most typical "shoebox" style cages (cage is not included with the system). Each wheel has a magnetic indicator and a hall effect sensor that connects to a computer interface and records wheel revolutions at user-specified intervals. Windows software is included for installation on a customer supplied PC. Data can be viewed in real time and exported into a CSV format at the end of the experiment.
The Columbus Instruments Mouse Home Cage Running Wheel measures spontaneous activity in a voluntary free-spinning running wheel. The wheel is constructed to fit universally into most typical "shoebox" style cages (cage is not included with the system). Each wheel has a magnetic indicator and a hall effect sensor that connects to a computer interface and records wheel revolutions at user-specified intervals. Windows software is included for installation on a customer supplied PC. Data can be viewed in real time and exported into a CSV format at the end of the experiment.
Exer-3/6, currently in its 4th generation, is a general purpose three (rats) or six (mice) lane animal exerciser utilizing single belt construction with dividing walls suspended over the tread surface.
Exer-3/6, currently in its 4th generation, is a general purpose three (rats) or six (mice) lane animal exerciser utilizing single belt construction with dividing walls suspended over the tread surface.
This unique, single lane, treadmill for mice provides an unobstructed view of animal foot location on a clear tread belt.
This unique, single lane, treadmill for mice provides an unobstructed view of animal foot location on a clear tread belt.
A precisely engineered instrument designed for reliable and consistent measurement of neurological conditions.
A precisely engineered instrument designed for reliable and consistent measurement of neurological conditions.
The Grip Strength Meter is employed in assessing neuromuscular function using efficiently designed pull bar assemblies.
The Grip Strength Meter is employed in assessing neuromuscular function using efficiently designed pull bar assemblies.
A rapid and efficient instrument designed to accurately assess pain relief levels in small laboratory animals.
A rapid and efficient instrument designed to accurately assess pain relief levels in small laboratory animals.
Allows each animal to exercise within an isolated space. An exercise belt, associated pulleys and optional stimuli are enclosed in a compartment which can be made air-tight
Allows each animal to exercise within an isolated space. An exercise belt, associated pulleys and optional stimuli are enclosed in a compartment which can be made air-tight
The Columbus Instruments Mouse Home Cage Running Wheel measures spontaneous activity in a voluntary free-spinning running wheel.
The Columbus Instruments Mouse Home Cage Running Wheel measures spontaneous activity in a voluntary free-spinning running wheel.
A precise, non-invasive blood pressure monitor that accurately measures systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure.
A precise, non-invasive blood pressure monitor that accurately measures systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure.
Multi-axis activity monitor for flexible, high-precision tracking of subject movement.
Multi-axis activity monitor for flexible, high-precision tracking of subject movement.
Automated animal activity meter for measuring locomotor activity, stereotypic movement, vertical movement, time in square, and animal path.
Automated animal activity meter for measuring locomotor activity, stereotypic movement, vertical movement, time in square, and animal path.
Designed to accurately measure the vertical component of motion associated with the startle reflex.
Designed to accurately measure the vertical component of motion associated with the startle reflex.
A multi-station rotation monitoring system that records full and partial turning motion in small laboratory animals.
A multi-station rotation monitoring system that records full and partial turning motion in small laboratory animals.
Implementation of the classic Rota-rod, designed to measure motor coordination, balance, and endurance in small animals.
Implementation of the classic Rota-rod, designed to measure motor coordination, balance, and endurance in small animals.
Custom-built home cage running wheels engineered for precise and reliable measurement of spontaneous activity in subjects.
Custom-built home cage running wheels engineered for precise and reliable measurement of spontaneous activity in subjects.
A highly adaptable general purpose closed circuit respirometer with very high sensitivity.
- Biodegradation
- ASTM D5511
- ISO 15985
- Etc.
- ISO 14851:2019
- ISO 14852:2018
- ISO 14853:2016
- Etc.
- ASTM D5538
- EN 13432
- ISO 14855
- Etc.
- ASTM D6691
- ISO 222403:2020
- Etc.
- OECD 301 B
- OECD 301
- OECD 301 F
- OECD 302B
- ASTM D5209
- ASTM D5210
- ASTM D5271
- Etc.
- ASTM D5988
- ISO 17556:2019
- Etc.
- Bioremediation
- Bioleaching
- Clean Energy
- Toxicity
- Insect Respiration
A gas blender that provides a continuous flow of mixed gases from pure gas sources.
- Gas Blending
- Hypoxia
- Multipoint Gas Calibration