The Bio-Cool controlled-rate freezer is a mechanically refrigerated bath for the programmed cooling of biological specimens prior to storage or programmed thawing prior to use
Plugging simply into a standard electrical outlet, it quietly provides low temperature cooling to either -40C or -80C.
Unlike most other controlled-rate freezers BioCool does not use liquid nitrogen.
Instead samples are immersed into a well-circulated, cold liquid bath kept agitated by magnetic stirrer and vortex breaker.
The circulating liquid allows more efficient heat transfer to the samples and maintains a more consistent temperature profile at all locations, ensuring uniformity for a smoother, gentler freezing process.
Using liquid nitrogen as a refrigerant can be costly.
As the BioCool is mechanically refrigerated any suitable liquid can be used (methanol or ethanol is recommended).
Its low-profile, ergonomic design allows for easy bath access and utilises a minimum of bench space.
The Bio-Cool also has an easy-to-use programmable microprocessor controller with the ability to program and store up to eight different protocols, each with up to eight distinct segments specifying ramp rate, hold temperature, and hold time.
Rate of temperature change for freezing or thawing can be set as low as 0.1C/minute.
Optional racks are available for the use of straws or ampoules.
The Bio-Cool is the only mechanically-refrigerated controlled rate freezer in its class and is commonly used for human and animal embryos and biological tissues and cell lines.
The popular Bio-Cool controlled-rate freezer is available in the UK and Ireland from Biopharma Process Systems.
