Asymptote And Grant Partner To Launch The World's First Liquid Nitrogen-Free Controlled Rate Freezer

England, Cambridge - Asymptote, a specialist in controlled solidification research & product development, has partnered with Grant Instruments, a renowned manufacturer and supplier of custom and own-brand scientific, life sciences and data acquisition products, to launch the world's first liquid nitrogen and refrigerant free controlled rate freezer.

Asymptote and Grant Instruments have signed a worldwide agreement for Grant to manufacture and market Asymptote's family of controlled rate freezers, the first of which is the EF600 unit. The EF600 was unveiled in March at Pittcon 2007, Chicago, USA, one of the world's largest laboratory science conference and exhibition.

The EF600 freezer is specifically designed for use in human and animal In vitro fertilization (IVF) applications for the cryopreservation of embryos, stem cells and spermatozoa but can also be used for general freezing applications. The unit uses an electrically-powered Stirling Cycle Cryocooler to freeze cells rather than using liquid nitrogen, this removes the risk of samples being contaminated during freezing and means that the product can be used in sterile environments such as cleanrooms.

"We are delighted to announce our strategic partnership with Grant as it provides us with a first class and financially solid manufacturing partner, instant access to a well-trodden global distribution network, and we can leverage their engineering team's considerable thermodynamics expertise," said John Morris, research director at Asymptote. "Having the right partner is fundamental to the commercial success of our products and gives us credibility in the scientific and medical markets. Now when we tell customers that the equipment is being built, maintained and serviced by Grant, they breathe a huge sigh of relief!"

SOURCE: Asymptote and Grant Instruments