BioCoder #4

A High-Voltage Power Supply for Systems Biology

Jonathan Cline

Introduction

I am sharing the design, along with the project files for home-lab manufacturing, of a low-current, high-voltage power supply that may be used for various experiments in Systems and Synthetic Biology. The schematic, board layout, and a suggested enclosure is provided. This circuit outputs up to +1,866 VDC at under 1 mA or can be tapped at various points to yield +622 VDC or +933 VDC. All components are easily obtained through common, hobbyist-friendly distributors.

The cost of this supply if built using high-quality components is easily under $100. The building blocks of the design are also reusable in other projects to further reduce total cost. This is in contrast to equipment used in typical journal research papers, which recommend scientific supplies costing more than $5,000.

This power supply may be useful for either DIY biology or institutional research experiments, such as:

• Digital microfluidics using electrowetting-on-dielectric^[6]
• Electroporation
• Electrokinetic experiments, such as dielectrophoresis^[7]
• And, lastly of course, generating large sparks that blast with a PAHHH-POP!

An important aspect of this design is the built-in current limiting of the components. Never connect the printed circuit board directly to a wall outlet.

Warning Regarding High Voltages

This circuit creates high voltages with enough circuit current to mandate a serious warning. Any contact with high voltages may cause serious ...