Enhanced Heat Transfer by Medical Gauze for Cell Vitrification With French Straw

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Film boiling occurs in the cooling process of samples with liquid nitrogen, which limits heat transfer and decreases the cooling rate. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: The study developed a method to enhance convective heat transfer by wrapping the French straw (FS) with a layer of medical gauze upon cooling to eliminate film boiling. A numerical model was used to study the thermodynamic mechanism in the method. RESULTS: Numerical simulation based on heat transfer and crystallization equations indicated that wrapping the FS with medical gauze could suppress film boiling. Experimental verification showed the increased cooling rate and better cell survival when wrapped FS was used. CONCLUSION: Numerical simulation and experimental verification demonstrated the efficacy of wrapping FS with medical gauze for better cell cryopreservation.