Aliases used by other developers include Moonrat, Rice MiniCubator, and Rice Petri FI. Visit the Legacy folder for the work of volunteers prior to December 2022 and the hand built prototype. MoonratII development effort began January 2023.
| Milestone | Target Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| FreeCAD model completion | Sep 01, 2025 | 🟢 Planned |
| MVP prototype build | Sep 06, 2025 | 🟢 Planned |
| Write and submit paper to Hardware X | Sep 10, 2025 | 🟢 Planned |
| Project Closure | Sep 15, 2025 | 🟢 Planned |
The mechanical design phase for the MoonRat II enclosure is officially complete. All recent updates, including finalizing mounting holes, component spacing, and structural parameters, have been committed. The finalized design files are now being test printed. Pending a successful print, the enclosure will be ready for assembly.
Latest Progress -> We’re finalizing all updated FreeCAD 3D models by next week! This includes:
- New enclosure design - improved insulation/portability
- Redesigned controller mounts - 3D-printed, better cable management
- Mechanical optimizations - easier assembly/maintenance
| Milestone | Target Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| FreeCAD model completion | Aug 20, 2025 | 🟡 In progress |
| MVP prototype build | Aug 27, 2025 | 🟢 Planned |
| Write and submit paper to Hardware X | Aug 31, 2025 | 🟢 Planned |
Hardware X Paper Focus:
- Open-source medical hardware
- Low-cost neonatal incubator design
- Reproducibility documentation (Journal guidelines)
Created a standalone schematic for heaterboard PCB.
In January 2023, 13 generous patrons funded the production of five complete MoonRatII prototypes. we updated them with the project results.
- Heater board redesign with a Dallas One wire digital temperature thermometer and a 4.7 ohm pull up resistor.
- Design a universal heater board cage to secure the heater board beneath the container lid in any external enclosure.
- Adjust top button spacing in KiCad.
- Add bottom mounting holes to the enclosure.
A scientific research paper is tentatively scheduled for March 2025 in the HardwareX journal.
Prototypes of the MoonratII were field tested in two locations - the Galapagos Islands by researcher Auja Bywater and in Tanzania by Dr. Robert Read. The heater features the TMP36 low voltage temperature sensor. A HardwareX scientific research paper is slated for October 2024 publication.
The MoonRatII team has produced five Printed Circuit Assemblies (Control and Heater) of the Rev 1 PWB for use by the USA team and five Printed Circuit Assemblies (Control and Heater) of the Rev 2 PWB for use by the Mexico team. Enclosure design for the Controller Assembly of Rev 3 PWB is underway TBA.
Dr. Robert Read and Melanie Laporte presented the MoonRatII project. Watch the presentation.
In one schematic and PCB, we have developed a "Control Assembly" and a "Heater Assembly".
- The Control Assembly will be in an enclosure detachable from the incubation chamber.
- The Heater Assembly will mounted internal to the incubation assembly under the unit top. Current to a heating pad or pads has changed from the previously used TMP36 low voltage temperature sensor to a digital temperature sensor.
- A rechargable battery with its recharging station will complete a MoonRatII incubator system.
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The connections from the controller to the heater needs only 6 wires:
- GND (ground, nominally voltage 0).
- +12V PWR (the heating elements requires approximately 12V power).
- HEAT ON (Vin).
- +5V (for the thermometer).
- SIG - data from the digital "one-wire" format.
- UNK - a final wire is included for future functionality that is unknown right now. It is connected as a redundant ground in Rev 1 and Rev 2.
These (esp. the power) should probably be rated for 2 amps, but in practice 1 amp is probably good enough.
From the 2020 design.
Basic Structure of Portable Incubator (1)
By building a small, portable, intelligent incubator that can maintain constant elevated temperature, a variety of biological experiments and assays can be performed "in the field" without having access to a electric grid power.
This is an offshoot of the Rapid E. coli project. It is an attempt to build a better, smaller, more intelligent portable incubator that the Armadillo, described elsewhere and buildable from an instructable.
- Petrifilms https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/ECOLICT-3M-Petrifilm-E-coli-Coliform-Count-Plates/?N=5002385+3293785155&rt=rud
- EPA Guidelines https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-11/documents/drinking_water_sample_collection.pdf
- Original Incubator Paper http://jhe.ewb.org.au/index.php/jhe/article/view/127
- Construction of a Low-cost Mobile Incubator for Field and Laboratory Use https://www.jove.com/t/58443/construction-low-cost-mobile-incubator-for-field-laboratory
- Solar Powered Portable Culture Incubator https://www.jscimedcentral.com/Pediatrics/pediatrics-3-1063.pdf
- World Health Organization
- Fuzzy Logic -
Thanks to Dr. Sabia Abidi of Rice University for input and references.
Robert L. Read - Founder of Public Invention