Grant Instruments™ CRF-1 - Controlled Rate Freezer

CRF-1 Liquid nitrogen free and cryogen free controlled rate freezer for research into the cryopreservation of a wide range of material including: embryos, stem cells, mammalian cells, spermatozoa, antibodies, tissue sections and rodent organs. The CRF-1 brings accuracy, precision and reproducibility to biological cryopreservation.

Unlike conventional liquid nitrogen based controlled rate cooling equipment, the CRF-1 poses no contamination risk and can be used in cleanrooms and barrier facilities. The CRF1 fits neatly and quietly on a bench-top and its performance in terms of cell viability after freezing is comparable or better than standard liquid nitrogen freezers. As alcohol is not used, there is also no potential fire risk. The CRF-1 will cool down to -100°C with straws.

The cooling rate of the CRF-1 is precisely controlled, ensuring accuracy and reproducibility throughout the freezing profile, especially for the important nucleation/seeding phase. This ensures optimal recovery of cells upon thawing. Operation is simple and can be carried out with or without a PC; data can be logged via PC software and cooling profiles are directly displayed. Different cooling profiles are available from a drop down menu and customised profiles can be written.

Main applications:
The CRF-1 is highly versatile and can be used for the cryopreservation research of a wide range
of samples in cryovials, straws, bags, microplates and Matrix-96-well block plates in the following
areas:
• Transgenic embryos research
• Stem cell research
• Clinical and research samples, e.g. lymphocytes and tissue cell lines in conventional cryovials
• Various mammalian cells including cardiomyocytes, adipose, liver and muscle
• Cord blood derived stem cells
• Adherent cells and stem cells in microplates
• Cell suspensions in numbered/barcoded arrays
• Robotic integration – the CRF-1 has also successfully been integrated into robotic systems
• Suitable for applications in veterinarian IVF

Key benefits and features:
• Accurate and reproducible control of cooling rates and sample temperatures
• Easy to use and samples can be nucleated/seeded in-situ
• Linear and non-linear cooling profiles
• Low running costs: estimated at 1% of liquid nitrogen-controlled rate freezing
• Temperature remains at -100°C at the end of cycle for straw applications until freezer
is switched off
• Un-interruptible Power Supply (UPS): complete cycle run if power fails (supplied as an
optional accessory)
• CE marked (laboratory use)
• Servicing and calibration available
• 3 year warranty

Dimensions (w x d x h): 264 x 367 x 445 mm
Weight (Kg): 9.8
Max plate temperature: 30°C
Min plate temperature: -80°C or -100°C (dependent on model)
Temperature accuracy: ± 0.5°C
Temperature stability: ± 0.1ºC
Temperature uniformity: ± 1.0°C
Max cooling rate: 10C°C /min
Max temperature stabilization time: 5 minutes