Automatic rotifer (plankton) counter
Original Title:
Abstract:
A small Norwegian company has developed a rotifer counter. The counter is an instrument that collects fluid samples from rotifer cultures or marine fish larvae cultures and finds the density of rotifers. The instrument can sample from 10 fish or rotifer tanks. The instrument eliminates the need for tidy manual counting and provides better data for the farmer. Companies or R&D institutes that see other application areas and further developing possibilities are sought.
A small Norwegian company has developed an instrument that automatically takes samples and finds the density of rotifers, a plankton species used in farming of marine fish.
The rotifer counter uses computer imaging to measure the density of rotifers used in rotifer cultures and/or fish larvae tanks. The PC-based instrument can sample from 10 different sources. Historic data and trend lines can be examined while sampling or it can be exported to spreadsheet programs (i.e. Excel).
The system consists of the main unit contained in a 20 x 40 x 50 cm casing and a PC connected through a serial and USB cable. The samples are provided through hoses that can be connected to the main unit with nipples or quick disconnect couplings.
An expansion of the counter to a control system is planned. The measurement system can potentially be used to count other types of plankton and particles.
Innovative Aspects:
The live-feed production in a hatchery today is both costly and labour-intensive. Manual counting of live-feed is inaccurate because of varying sampling methods, and different people are involved in the counting.
An automatic live-feed counter is an important innovation to improve logistics and efficiency together with automating the live-feed production. This includes the feeding of fry and the feeding of the live-feed itself. This technology makes it possible to:
- Supervise the density of rotifers in fish tanks and plankton tanks to a much larger extent than today with less effort
- Reduce costs related to production of live-feed organisms and fry of marine species
- Control the density of prey for the fish larvae trough automatic feeding
Market Applications:
Instruments, measuring equipment; Manufacturing control systems
Stage of Development:
Prototype/demonstrator available for testing
Stage Description:
Consultancy Details:
Property Rights:
Secret know-how
Patent Details:
Current Stage of Development:
Available for demonstration
Intellectual Property Rights:
Secret know-how
Exploitation of RTD Results:
PRIVATE RESEARCH
Also National RTD Programme
Copyright:
Licence Details:
Collaboration Sought:
Marketing agreement,Financial support,Information exchange/Training,Other,Joint further development,New way to use an existing production line,Engineering
Collaboration Detail:
- Type of partner sought:
Companies and RTD institutes that can benefit from this technology
- Task to be performed:
Contribute to further developing this technology in new areas (i.e. different plankton species or particles).
Sources of Support:
Support Details:
Contact Details
Contact Name:
FLOR, Hans Jorgen (Mr)
Position:
Department:
Contact Organisation:
SINTEF Technology and Society
Address:
S.P. Andersens vei 5
City:
Trondheim
Region:
TRØNDELAG
Sør-Trøndelag
Postcode:
N-7465
Country:
NORGE
Telephone Number:
+47-73592596
Fax Number:
+47-73591299
E-mail:
Contact
URL:
http://www.sintef.no
RCN:
37888
Last updated:
2013-03-01
