I get phone calls every day and talk to people at events about their temperature control methods and challenges. Whether they are working with chemical, immunological or biological assays or prepping and storing cells under ultra-low temperatures, the result is always the same–their conventional temperature control methods are not as effective as they want them to be.  

Some of the common challenges I hear among these researchers include their assays are producing poor results, expensive samples are being compromised due to inconsistent temperature control, and current methods aren’t compatible with their existing automation platforms or consumables.

Researchers face the above challenges, but for some reason continue using these unsuitable methods that do not maintain the quality of samples and assays, thus seriously affecting end results.  Use of freezers, ice and dry ice aren’t reliable and effective ways to maintain uniform temperature.    Think of it…round vials/tubes up against hard ice or dry ice…where’s the uniform temperature that envelops your consumable?  Here are five good reasons why these outdated methods don’t really perform to your expectations:

1. Unstable temperatures jeopardize quality of samples & assays.
2. Manual methods (transporting regular or dry ice) may put the researcher and samples at risk.
3. You can’t utilize ice or dry ice on an automated platform because expensive deck electronics don’t like it
4. Electric devices for heating or cooling take up valuable deck real estate.
5. Thermal electric devices exhaust heat and can evaporate or contaminate valuable samples, reagents or buffers that are adjacent to device.

If you’re using conventional thermal control methods including ice and freezers, think again. Do you want to keep repeating experiments because they are getting ruined in the freezer or ice? Invest in a cost-effective thermal control system that will maintain the integrity of your research, minimize costly, poor results and reduce contamination risk for samples or you!

Take this moment to re-evaluate your thermal control systems. Are you satisfied with your current methods and results? Maybe it’s time for other options.  We’d love to hear about your challenges.