DSC Electrode System for Cryopreservation Ice Crystal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological material cryopreservation methods face challenges such as low-temperature damage due to ice crystal formation, limited applicability to large-sized materials, complexity, and toxicity issues with cryoprotectants, and lack of precise quantitative analysis in microscopic observations.
Innovation Solution
A DSC electrode system capable of applying an electric field, which includes a differential scanning calorimeter, computer, self-pressurization liquid nitrogen tank, microelectrode crucible, and signal generator to monitor heat flow changes and determine optimal electric field parameters for inhibiting ice crystal formation in biological materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If rapid cooling method is used, then cooling speed is improved, but applicability to large-sized materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electric field as an intermediary factor to affect water molecule crystallization. The electric field acts as a mediator that can influence phase change behavior of water in biological materials during cooling, providing an additional control mechanism that works alongside thermal cooling to prevent ice crystal formation damage.
2Reliability
If cryoprotectant adding method is used, then protection from low-temperature damage is improved, but operation complexity and toxicity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical-based cryoprotectant method with a physical field-based approach. Instead of using chemical substances that require complex handling, addition, and removal procedures, the invention uses an electric field to achieve similar protective effects by influencing water molecule behavior during freezing, thereby eliminating operational complexity and toxicity issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the electric field (strength, frequency, duration) to optimize its effect on water crystallization. By adjusting these parameters, the system can control the degree of ice crystal formation inhibition without requiring chemical additives, providing a flexible and controllable method to protect biological materials.
3Illumination intensity
If microscopic observation is used, then intuitive observation is improved, but measurement precision and quantitative analysis deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces heat flow measurement as an intermediary parameter to indirectly observe and quantify ice crystal formation. Instead of relying solely on direct microscopic observation of colorless ice crystals, the system uses differential scanning calorimetry to measure heat flow changes during freezing, providing precise quantitative data about crystallization processes that complement visual observation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces low-temperature damage by controlling ice crystal formation, improving cryopreservation efficiency and providing a new method for deep structure and mechanism analysis of biological materials.
Implementation Method 1
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) may be used for measuring a relation between a heat flows and temperatures of an input and output sample
Implementation Method 2
As water molecules are polar molecules, dipole polarization may be generated under the action of an applied electromagnetic field
Implementation Method 3
a self-pressurization liquid nitrogen tank connected to the computer and the differential scanning calorimeter respectively and used for cooling an inside of an experiment module
Data Source
AI summary
A DSC (Differential Scanning calorimetry) electrode system capable of applying an electric field includes a differential scanning calorimeter, a computer, a signal generator, a self-pressurization liquid nitrogen tank and a reference crucible, wherein the self-pressurization liquid nitrogen tank is connected to the differential scanning calorimeter and used for controlling temperature in real time; the differential scanning calorimeter is connected to the computer and used for transmitting signals and recording experiment results. The DSC electrode system also includes a microelectrode crucible that includes a ceramic crucible, a ceramic crucible cover, welding spots, two electrodes and electrode wires, wherein the two electrodes are respectively fixed in the ceramic crucible; a gap is reserved between the electrodes and used for storing a tested sample; the welding spots are reserved at upper ends of the electrodes.