BEHIND THE SCIENCE

 

Ultra-low temperatures prevent the degradation of certain products and samples during the production and storage process. Temperatures of -80°C can arrest changes in the biophysical properties of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics, cell and gene therapies, biopharmaceuticals, and other thermosensitive samples and products. While ultra-low temperature freezers (ULTs) have been a staple of research facilities for years, the pandemic broadened their use in clinics, hospitals, and last-mile vaccine administration sites. Manufacturers rose to meet unprecedented needs for ULTs at the peak of the COVID pandemic.

 

A renewed interest in biologically targeted mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccines and therapeutics has continued the increased demand for ULTs. Yet more than ever, industries are instilling more stringent energy efficiency goals. This focus on sustainability merges the need for ultra-low temperature freezers capable of storing research samples and products while providing the highest energy savings possible.

 

Though there are many factors to consider when selecting a ULT, temperature uniformity is among the most important. Ultra-low temperature freezers should be able to prevent temperature variations despite high ambient conditions and never compromise performance for energy efficiency. Yet there is no doubt that conventional ultra-low freezers are the driving force of laboratory energy consumption costs. The energy needed for a single, conventional ULT can power an average U.S. household.ⁱ When older ULTs that do not have ENERGY STAR® Certification are used, that cost is compounded.

 

Our latest product launch, the PHCbi brand VIP ECO SMART, represents our most innovative ULT freezer to date and ranks highest among ultra-low temperature freezers tested by ENERGY STAR for performance and energy efficiency.ⁱⁱ The VIP ECO SMART Series uses an inverter compressor with proprietary algorithms that provides more efficient rotation control at low speeds and greater uniformity. A new dual refrigeration inverter control reduces power consumption to 5.4 kWh per day, resulting in an energy consumption reduction of approximately 30% compared to current models.

 

PHCbi brand ultra-low freezers are engineered to minimize power consumption without compromising preservation capability. PHCbi brand freezers deliver this performance thanks to pioneering compressor technology developed through over 50 years of engineering innovation. The new PHCbi brand VIP ECO SMART Series consists of four models of HFC-free ultra-low temperature freezers that enable safe, efficient long-term specimen and sample storage for drug discovery and life science researchers. This new series builds upon the PHCbi brand history of innovative and reliable ultra-low temperature freezers to offer enhanced energy-saving performance while improving security and usability.

 

The VIP ECO SMART series also provides improved security and monitoring of stored materials through controlled freezer access with facial recognition, optional NFC access, or PIN access. Learn more about the new VIP ECO SMART by visiting the product pages.