However, fans and other components must be protected from moisture and humidity, which can cause corrosion that quickly degrades the performance of mechanical components like fans. Incubators feature fans or blowers with baffles to distribute air gently and evenly over the samples. The second challenge is ensuring consistent airflow throughout the chamber.
Achieving heating and cooling within this limited volume requires units with high heat-flux densities. The thermal solution must include an efficient, effective heat exchanger/fan, operating within limited space.
Tight space constraints within incubators require thermal control units to have a compact form factor, maximizing chamber volume. Incubator manufacturers face many thermal management design challenges ranging from space constraints, airflow, moisture, and dust, to ease of cleaning. For CO 2 incubators, relative humidity levels of 95–98 percent and specified CO 2 concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 19.9 percent also must be maintained. The heat load requirements can range from 30 to more than 400 W based on chamber size. Incubator RequirementsĬontrol of temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and oxygen levels must be maintained in the incubators for proper cell culture to occur. In addition, new government restrictions of traditional and natural refrigerants central to compressor-based systems make thermoelectrics a more advantageous solution for temperature stabilization in incubators. Using compact Peltier thermoelectric assemblies (TEAs) instead of compressor-based thermal management solutions provides a more efficient and cost-effective option. If too cold, growth slows, sometimes permanently if too hot, sensitive proteins begin to denature. Excursions above and below the optimum mammalian body temperature of 37 ☌, even by as little as 6 ☌, negatively impact cell health. (Credit: Laird Thermal Systems)Īccurate and precise control of temperature is especially important for cell growth. The combination of a closed-loop temperature controller with a thermoelectric assembly creates a highly responsive, accurate, and precise thermal management system.
Precision control of these factors enables research and experimental work in industries where cell culture is vital. They create the ideal environment for cell and tissue sample growth by maintaining optimum levels for temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. Incubators, used for cell and tissue cultivation in hospital and laboratory settings, grow and maintain cell and tissue samples under controlled conditions for hours, weeks, or even months.
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