1

Controlled-Rate Freezing Device

Alex Adams, Greer Beaumont, Candace Booker, Mark Farrington, Nick Molligan, Robert Power

Advisors: Melissa Eskridge and Todd Monroe

2

Clientele Information Dr. Tiersch, Amy Guitreau, and the employees at the Aqua-Cultural Research Station lab Customer baseARS LabFishing farmsBiological research labs

3

Project Decomposition

4

Background Cryopreservation Slow programmable freezing Example:

5

Problem Statement Our team is attempting to create an inexpensive, freezing device and, in doing so, achieve a cooling rate at which straws containing sperm cells can efficiently be frozen.

6

Melissa’s objective:

Our objective:

7

Project Goals & Measurable Objectives

Simplified system modeled after computer controlled freezing system

Complete temperature profile of the system

Utilize Arduino to control subunits: sensory,

display, and data logger

Target cooling rate: -4°C/min

Ideal temperature: (-80°C) – (-100°C)

Ideal straw transit time: 20 minutes

Straw throughput: 50/run

8

Concept Generation Arduino:

Mrs. Dugas’ classesData organization

Intro to ArduinoCodeCircuit design

Research of materials and Arduino components

9

Materials Temperature Profiling:

Type T Thermocouples

Liquid Nitrogen

Styrofoam box

Mesh grid galvanized steel

Arduino: Uno (2) (Microcontroller)

LCD Screen Shield

Plastic Breadboard

Jumper Wires

Counting Sensor

SD Card

Data Logger Shield

Thermocouple Shield

Barcode Scanner

10

ConstraintsTime

Liquid Nitrogen Evaporation

Data Logger % Error

Arduino Compatibility

Arduino circuitry that works at low temperatures

Range of inputs

11

Design Slide

12

Microcontroller Design Matrices

BBB Arduino UNO

Arduino DUE

Arduino Yun

Mintduino Galileo Raspberry Pi

Analog pins 7 6 12 12 6 6 0

Digital pins 8 14 54 20 14 14 8

Memory N/A 2KB 96KB 2.5KB 2KB 512KB N/A

Adequate Research

Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Cost 45 30 50 70 25 85 40

Parameters Options

13

MAX31855 Multiplexer

Price $82.95 $44.50

Port Count 4 8

Probe Input Current Probes Compatable

Require New Probe Purchase

Output Resolution

0.25 C 0.25 C

Voltage Built-I n Voltage translation

3.3V or 5V

14

Arduino ParametersInter Integrated communication (I^2C)

15

ParametersTesting Conditions:

A/C set @ 21.1°C

Room temperature ~21.3°C

Styrofoam box dimensions:

Height: 16.5 in./7 in.

Width: 15 in./11.75 in.

Galvanized steel grid:

Lies .932 inches in the box

15.5 x 15.5 in²

Liquid Nitrogen:

4 inches (~6 L)

Temperature Logger Calibration:

See Appendix A

16

Arduino ChallengesCHALLENGES:

Compatible Arduino components 3 thermocouples (displayed information) Bar code scanner Counter SD reader ( LCD

Range of inputs

SOLUTIONS:

Researching materials (model selection)

Project box (protection from temp.)

17

Design Tools: Structure/Function Chart

18

Gantt Chart – Progress and current location

19

BudgetMaterials Quantity Cost

Type T Thermocouples 15 $5-8 per thermocouple

Barcode Scanner 1 $30-40

Arduino DUE Microcontroller 1 $49.95

Arduino UNO Microcontroller 1 $29.95

SD Memory Card 1 $11.99

Counting Sensor 1 $20-30

LCD Display Screen 1 $23.99

Chicken Wire 1 $15.00

Thermocouple Shield 1 $46.50

Data Logger Shield 1 $19.95

LCD Screen Shield 1 $21.95

Counting Sensor Shield 1 $20-30

Total Cost: $294.28 - $327.28

Outside Funding

Grant

20

Thank you! Acknowledgements:

Dr. Todd Monroe

Melissa Eskridge

Amy Guitreau

Dr. Tiersch and the ARS employees

Questions?

21

Appendix A Liquid mercury thermometer and 15 Type Tthermocouples

Calibrated using: Room temperature water (Table 1) Boiling water Ice water

Loggers collected 5 minutes of data

Recorded data variation connects withspecified % error of the temperature logger

22

Results of Temp. Profiling Numbers & graph in-the-making:

23

Temperature Profiling - Systematic technique

- Mesh grid

- Notation system

- Calibrating

- Devising our technique

- Measuring

- Straw stabilization device

- 15 minutes

- 3 different settings

- DT 300 software

24

Straw Method Pictures Individual Straw Method Straw Stabilization Method