Phase Change Material Layering for Freeze-Safe Biological Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shipping methods for temperature-sensitive biological materials often result in temperature excursions due to inadequate packaging and lack of real-time monitoring, leading to potential destruction of materials during transport.
Innovation Solution
A thermally insulated storage system utilizing phase change materials with specific phase change temperatures to maintain a target temperature range, combined with a communication device for real-time monitoring and data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional insulated containers with thermal mass are used for shipping temperature-sensitive materials, then basic insulation is provided, but temperature excursions occur leading to material destruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change materials (PCMs) that undergo phase transitions at specific temperatures to maintain stable thermal conditions. The PCM absorbs or releases latent heat during phase change, preventing temperature excursions and maintaining the payload within the target temperature range throughout transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses PCMs with specifically selected phase change temperatures matched to the payload's target temperature range. By changing the thermal parameters of the packaging system through PCM selection, the container maintains optimal temperature conditions without active cooling or heating.
2Loss of information
If temperature monitoring is added to track material conditions during transit, then data collection is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses passive temperature indicators that automatically record and display temperature history without requiring active monitoring equipment or external power sources. The PCM-based thermal regulation works autonomously, and temperature data is captured through simple indicators rather than complex electronic monitoring systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple phase change materials with different phase change temperatures are used, then temperature control precision is improved, but packaging complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal regulation system is divided into multiple PCM layers, each with different phase change temperatures. The first PCM layer maintains the target temperature range, while the second PCM layer with a lower phase change temperature prevents overheating. This segmentation allows precise temperature control through simple layered construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The first PCM layer acts as an intermediary between the payload and the second PCM layer. It prevents the second PCM layer from directly causing the payload to reach temperatures outside the target range, mediating the thermal interaction between materials with different phase change temperatures.
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 maintains the temperature of sensitive materials within a stable range and provides continuous monitoring, ensuring the integrity of biological materials during transport and within treatment facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of a first phase change material having a phase change temperature within the target temperature range and a layer of a second phase change material having a phase change temperature outside the target temperature range
Implementation Method 2
The layer of the first phase change material is located between the payload volume and the layer of the second phase change material to prevent the second phase change material from causing the temperature sensitive payload to reach a temperature outside the target temperature range
Implementation Method 3
a thermally insulated storage container comprising one or more walls that together define an enclosed volume
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal storage system includes a thermally insulated storage container and a payload container adapted to retrievably house a temperature sensitive payload. The system includes layers of first and second phase change materials arranged in a stack with the payload container. The first phase change material has a phase change temperature within a target temperature range of the payload, and the second phase change material has a phase change temperature outside the target temperature range. The layers are arranged to isolate the payload from the second phase change material. In the case of biological materials that must not freeze while stored in the container, this arrangement enables a cold pack containing the layers of phase change materials to be placed in direct contact with the contents container even with a cold pack starting temperature well below the freezing point of the contents.