Developed an automated mouse feeder that facilitates restricted feeding studies

• Automated the process with the goal of reducing the number of hours input and improving precision of timing through the maintenance of multiple feeding schedules, thus reducing the strain on researchers

  • Priorities for the mouse feeder prototype were listed as such: Safety for the mice from crush and noise damage, Restricted access to food outside of feeding times, Ease of attachment to existing cage, Ease of use and cleaning, and Ability to be programmed from a distance and well into the future. The created prototype achieved all of these goals

• System consists of a door connected to a linear actuator stepper motor that opens and closes on a schedule, and contains built-in safety mechanisms

  • Stepper motor controlled by Raspberry Pi microcontroller using CronTabs software for scheduling and breadboards and control circuitry to interface

  • Gate and Tracks modeled in TinkerCAD and 3D-printed

Allowed researchers to open gate with 0.01 minutes of scheduled time up to a year in advance

• Total Project Cost - $143.35

  • Comparable Product - PetNet SmartFeeder - $149.95