I've landed on needing some type of highly optically transparent film or cover material that prevents evaporation of culture media; I am not sure which subfield of materials science would be able to help me troubleshoot (who to ask on campus!), but perhaps you have a workaround?
I'm performing experiments outside of a typical culture incubator atmosphere; specifically no additional CO2%. Usually I have no issues with evaporation because I seal plates in a different manner, but culture media evaporation is a huge obstacle for me right now. Is there an optically transparent lens material that is affordable and allows me to detect wavelengths on the infrared length?
I have tried different dish surface areas and sizes, as well as indirect and direct heat sources, atmospheric temperature and humidity control methods, tips and tricks we use with other incubations (like filling well spaces with water while staining), even using transwell plates. I need these cultures to stay at the same-ish volume for multiple doubling times and I'm plating at considerable density.
Thank you for reading this, I highly appreciate it.
Do you specifically mean evaporation or condensation? Maybe try a plastic film or try to seal the edges of the petri dish with a band. Maybe alluminium foil, it may conserve the Infrared properties, what I I am not sure is on the condensation/light needs of the plant. Maybe changing the material from glassware to plasticware.
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