Energy Efficient Specimen Freezer
Freezers are some of the most energy hungry appliances in grocery stores, homes and science labs. They consist of a thermally insulated compartment and a pump that transfers heat into the external environment. The larger the freezer, the more heat needs to be removed, the more energy hungry the pump. In addition to sizing considerations, portability also comes into play when dealing with lab environments and research stations.
Ideally, labs would want to have several freezers in order to separate specimens and reduce contamination. Team or researcher level ownership also helps to reduce clutter and messes forming in a common space. Right now a range of mid sized freezers do exist but they are fairly expensive and lack the portability component. Many times researchers will use dry ice to move specimens through the field. Not only is dry ice messy and hard to work with, it is also extremely environmentally un-friendly.
A new device called the Cryoporter aims to solve these problems offering a $3,500 mini specimen freezer with changeable aluminum blocks, a cigarette lighter adapter, battery add-on and a plastic handle for easy portability. It's a cool device for several reasons. First, it relies on a Stirling engine to power the heat pump which is one of the most efficient and quiet ways to go. By offering something small and cheap enough to put at every lab station it reduces clutter and helps prevent contamination. It reduces the need for dry ice since it can easily be moved by one person and powered in a plane or car and even when it's not plugged in it can maintain a cool environment when kept shut.
Ideally, labs would want to have several freezers in order to separate specimens and reduce contamination. Team or researcher level ownership also helps to reduce clutter and messes forming in a common space. Right now a range of mid sized freezers do exist but they are fairly expensive and lack the portability component. Many times researchers will use dry ice to move specimens through the field. Not only is dry ice messy and hard to work with, it is also extremely environmentally un-friendly.
A new device called the Cryoporter aims to solve these problems offering a $3,500 mini specimen freezer with changeable aluminum blocks, a cigarette lighter adapter, battery add-on and a plastic handle for easy portability. It's a cool device for several reasons. First, it relies on a Stirling engine to power the heat pump which is one of the most efficient and quiet ways to go. By offering something small and cheap enough to put at every lab station it reduces clutter and helps prevent contamination. It reduces the need for dry ice since it can easily be moved by one person and powered in a plane or car and even when it's not plugged in it can maintain a cool environment when kept shut.
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