Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2023
Abstract
Efforts in development of germplasm repositories to preserve genetic resources of aquatic species are impeded globally by a lack of standardized, inexpensive, reproducible, and portable cryopreservation technologies. The present work demonstrates a 3-D printed standardizable freezing device that can be used with nitrogen vapor shipping dewars for on-site sperm cryopreservation for aquatic species and be distributed as open-hardware. This device could hold 22 French straws (0.25-mL or 0.5-mL) and a quick-release ring design could eject straws directly into a canister inside a dewar by pressing a button after freezing. The final prototypes produced cooling rates of 1 to 68°C/min for 0.25-mL straws, and 3 to 37°C/min for 0.5-mL straws with a material cost of 3.5 USD for a single device and 1,820–2,562 USD for batch production of 20 replicates (including labor and purchase of 3-D printers). Progressing through design, prototyping, and testing was delineated to help guide the development of open-source devices within cryopreservation user communities.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Journal of Applied Aquaculture
First Page
213
Last Page
236
Recommended Citation
Childress, W., Liu, Y., & Tiersch, T. (2023). Design, alpha testing, and beta testing of a 3-D printed open-hardware portable cryopreservation device for aquatic species. Journal of Applied Aquaculture, 35 (1), 213-236. https://doi.org/10.1080/10454438.2021.1955805
