An inexpensive replacement for dry ice in the laboratory

doi:10.1016/j.ab.2015.01.008

Analytical Biochemistry

Volume 474, 1 April 2015, Pages 38-39

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ab.2015.01.008 Get rights and content

Abstract

A reusable inexpensive replacement for dry ice in laboratory use is presented. Commercially available small pellets of stone or metal can be stored in a −80 °C freezer and used for quickly freezing small samples with a freezing rate that is actually somewhat faster than with dry ice itself. Following use, the material is returned to the freezer to re-chill until the next usage.

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD, USA).

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Cited by (5)

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Citation Excerpt :
Provision of good heat insulation will slow down the rate of dry ice sublimation and extend its useful lifetime. Alternatives such as pre-cooled stone or metal pellets, although capable of achieving a faster freezing rate, are less effective in maintaining the required cryogenic temperature compared with dry ice [8]. Vessels containing samples for cryo-storage are typically placed in direct contact with dry ice during transport and this creates opportunities for diffusion of CO2 through gas permeable vessel material or any defective seals (possibly due to cryogenic embrittlement) into the sample headspace, potentially forming carbonic acid that in turn lowers the pH and adversely impacting analyte properties and stability in a variety of matrices [9–12].
Dry ice (solid CO₂) remains highly useful when temperature-sensitive biological samples need to be cryogenically transported. CO₂ released during the sublimation of dry ice can diffuse through gas permeable receptacle material or any defective seals resulting in potential sample acidification and compromised integrity. In addition, the quality of cryopreservation can be undermined once the dry ice is exhausted. The dry ice carrier design described here has been demonstrated to prevent sublimated CO₂ from reaching the samples while maintaining storage temperature below −60 °C for 19 h. It is also equipped with microcontroller-based temperature monitoring for traceability and CO₂ gas monitoring for safety.
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Actual approaches to the transportation of biological samples at low temperatures
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Waste-activated sludge disruption by dry ice: bench scale study and evaluation of heat phase transformations
2019, Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Pebbles as Dry Ice Replacement for Snap Freezing of Rodents Brains
2017, bioRxiv

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Notes & TipsAn inexpensive replacement for dry ice in the laboratory

Abstract

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Acknowledgment

Notes & Tips
An inexpensive replacement for dry ice in the laboratory