Laboratory

fermSYS Buddy: Dynamic Bioprocess Control for Water Kefir Discover how the fermSYS Buddy transforms water kefir fermentation from static recipes into an intelligent, automated bioprocess. By connecting the compact fermSYS CUBE to a dosing pump via ad-hoc Wi-Fi, it enables real-time feedback and PID-controlled dynamic feeding. Combining biotechnology, AI, and smart hardware optimizes substrate use, enhances taste consistency, shortens production times, and leads the way to aut

How can we make fermentation processes more transparent, intelligent and autonomous? In her Bachelor’s thesis at Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, a student combines a fermSYS VOC sensor with an external turbidity sensor to develop a soft sensor for cell viability. The next step: using fermHUB to turn online process insights into intelligent control strategies for a future of autonomous fermentation.

At the Vorholt Lab (Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich), researchers are engineering *Escherichia coli* to efficiently utilize green methanol as a sustainable one-carbon feedstock. Using the fermSYS VOC sensor for real-time methanol monitoring, the team gains continuous process insights that accelerate strain development and optimize fermentation strategies—advancing sustainable biomanufacturing and supporting the transition to a circular carbon economy.

Media screening is no longer just about biomass, O₂ and CO₂. By combining the Kuhner TOM system with the fermSYS fermSENSE – MULTI FLOW, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) provide real-time metabolic insights, revealing by-product formation and cellular stress long before endpoint analysis. More data, better decisions, faster process development – transforming a shaker into an intelligent mini-bioreactor.

Smart fermentation for aquaculture: How a VOC sensor could revolutionise the production of innovative tilapia vaccines. In a current development project by W42, artificially designed antigens against two viral fish pathogens are being produced. What makes this special is that: The yeast cells themselves are used directly as a component of fish feed following fermentation. The VOC sensor provides additional information about the physiological state of the culture.

Monitoring fermentation processes is easy. With the fermSYS Cube, you get a compact, all-in-one solution for measuring, controlling and analysing data from shake flask or laboratory fermentations. The Cube combines all the necessary components in a single device – from the VOC sensor and control software to wireless communication.

Explore how 'Real-time insight into bioprocesses via VOC sensing is becoming reality.' with cutting-edge VOC sensing tech for smarter bioprocessing.

With the fermSYS Buddy a direct, IoT-based coupling of VOC sensors and pump actuators enables dynamic control of the methanol supply, consistently maintaining concentrations within the optimal range.