The Insect Flight Group has a technical services branch that provides various services for modest fees.
We have provided the following services:
- Repairs to scientific equipment and other machines and devices
- Instrument design and manufacture
- Materials acquistion and sourcing
- Software development (C/C++, MatLab, QuickBasic)
These services are available to both members of the Carleton Community and persons outside of Carleton.
If you are interested in contracting our services, please contact us.
Select examples of instruments and devices built by BTS:
Bioamplifier
A general purpose, differential, AC amplifier suitable for electrophysiological recording (nerve and muscle) and other signals. We use this amplifer in our undergraduate physiology course for recording ECG signals from frog heart and CAP signals from frog sciatic nerves.
Bioamplifier (2-channel)
A general purpose, differential, AC amplifier suitable for electrophysiological recording (nerve and muscle) and other signals. Two-channel version of above.
DC (Direct-Coupled) Amplifier for strain gauges
A low-noise DC amplifier suitable for use with resistive strain gauge element load cells.
Spherical Treadmill
A spherical treadmill for measuring the velocity and direction of a locomoting cricket (or other small insect) including custom software for data analysis.
Bite Force Transducer
Constructed originally to safely measure bite-force of puffer fish.
Bite Force Transducer – Version 2
Constructed to safely measure bite-force of turtles and lizards.
Plant Spinner
Constructed for our plant biology lab to determine how centripetal force affects plant growth.
Temperature/Light Controlled Cabinet
A cabinet with temperature, light, and air circulation (for insect or plant growth).
Oscillating Table
A oscillating table suitable for agitating gels during Western blotting. Adjustable angles and oscillation frequency.
Photosynthesis Chambers
Small opaque chambers for inducing photosynthesis with different wavelengths of light. Built for our plant physiology lab.
Ussing Chambers
Ussing chambers used for studying epithelial transport. These chambers are presently being used for our undergraduate (3rd year) physiology course.
Insect Rearing Cages
We have designed and constructed our own insect rearing cages.
Glass leveling table
To assist with pouring agar plates for microbiological work.
Autoclavable Bioreactor Support
A support for a bioreactor so that it may be inserted into an autoclave for sterilization.
PA system for teaching lab
A PA system with wireless microphone for our large undergraduate teaching lab.
Insect Flight Group 