Project Summary
Globally, management agencies rely on the precise polishing of millions of otoliths each year to obtain vital demographic data, such as age and growth. However, this process is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and ergonomically strenuous. Since the early 1970s, there has been limited advancement in preparation methods, with many still using manual approaches or costly, and at times inefficient, equipment.
The iLab and members of Jessica Miller's lab collaborated to design and fabricate an affordable, adjustable-speed, multi-wheel polisher that can be powered by alternating or direct current. The result: sample preparation time was reduced, and sample consistency was notably improved compared to manual approaches. While specifically designed for consistent and relatively rapid preparation of otolith thin sections, the polisher is readily adaptable to a variety of applications.
Designs and manufacturing for these wheels are publicly available by contacting the iLab. Read more about this work in a the journal article, Otoliths, bones, teeth, and more: Development of a new polishing wheel for calcified structures, in Limnology and Oceanography Methods.
Client
Marine and Anadromous Fisheries, Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES), Jessica Miller
Problem
This research group within COMES processes large numbers of otoliths for analysis, and they were looking for more efficient ways to process them.
Solution
The iLab team developed a three-disk benchtop scale sanding table. The speed of each disk is adjustable and comes with a Velcro top that allows users to easily swap grits between disks.