AUTOMATED OYSTER MUSHROOM KIT & SEAT
Completed as my final year undergraduate degree, in which I graduated with a First Class Honours, The Mushroom Growing Kit is a solution towards simplifying growing a protein food source in a sustainable manner, as opposed to livestock production.
The product uses a 12V 6A powered closed loop automatic control system to regulate light, temperature, CO2 and humidity to grow Oyster Mushrooms. This was done by using an Arduino for control, with 4 sensors mapped to 4 outputs of: Temperature, Relative Humidity, CO2 Levels and Light. The only thing the user needs to do is lift the lid for light, once 2- 3 weeks had passed, enabling fruiting of the edible mushroom caps.
A Peltier device sandwiched between 2 fans was used enabled the box to act as a refrigerator, switching current (linked to 2 digital outputs) meant cool and hot air could be blown into the box as needed.
Designed for complete disassembly through the use of Cam and Pin dowel lock furniture locking mechanisms, vero board electronic assembly (aiding in de-soldering parts), velcro fittings for the aluminium insulation foil and no use of glues.
Uses far less water to produce the same amount of rich protein as livestock as a solution towards a more sustainable protein intake.
Can be used as a outdoor bench/ decorative shelf when in use or for re- use. Marketed towards gardening users who would want to grow their mushrooms with little- no knowledge from inoculation to fruiting.
