Supplementary Fig. 2: The optoPlate-96 illuminator.
From: High-throughput multicolor optogenetics in microwell plates
The assembled optoPlate-96 illuminator is depicted and important features are highlighted. An Arduino Micro microcontroller plugs into the illuminator. The Arduino stores and executes the illumination program, eliminating the need for external data cables. Only power cables must be connected to the illuminator during an experiment. The illuminator was designed with four barrel-jack connectors to accommodate different voltage requirements for different components. While the fan must be supplied with 12V and the Arduino with >7V, the LEDs should be supplied with the minimum voltage that maximizes brightness. This will vary for individual LEDs, but we find that ~4V for red and far-red LEDs and ~5V for blue LEDs is suitable. LED voltage above this minimum will generate heat in the LED driver chips, and thus should be avoided. The optoPlate-96 illuminator depicted will illuminate three colors -- blue, red, and far-red. In principle, the illuminator can be used with LEDs of any color, provided that the LEDs are in a PLCC2 or PLCC4 package and the polarity of the LED terminals is compatible with the PCB design.
