Development of a Temperature- Controlled Environment for Neurovalidation

Abstract

This Final Degree Project presents the design and implementation of a temperature-controlled chamber for studying the behavior of neural precursors under varying thermal conditions. The chamber is intended as a core component within a broader initiative aimed at developing non- invasive therapeutic devices for epilepsy treatment, particularly through ultrasound-induced brain cooling.The device enables precise environmental temperature control. Its design integrates heating elements, high-precision digital temperature sensors (TSIC 506F), and a closed-loop control system managed by an Arduino Uno microcontroller, as well as a LabVIEW-based interface developed for real-time data visualization and logging. A methacrylate structure, supported by 3D-printed components, was selected for its transparency and ease of fabrication after multiple versions were investigated to optimize chamber structure, thermal distribution, and sensor integration. Both passive and forced-convection heating methods were analyzed, with thermal validation conducted using infrared imaging. The chamber consistently achieved the desired thermal range (36–37.5 °C), demonstrating spatial uniformity in controlled experiments and representing an initial platform for analyzing the impact of temperature on neural activity, contributing valuable data for the design of future brain-cooling neuromodulation devices.