Cool Cube™ coolers utilize the latest in passive temperature controlling technology – phase change material (PCM). PCM is accurate, reliable, and predictable. There are no moving parts to break, require no electricity to work, and offer a long life of maintenance-free consistency. Cool Cube™ PCM panels passively stabilize packed-out product at specific temperature ranges (depending on the PCM panels used): Refrigerator Temperatures, Lab Freezer Temperatures, and Room Temperatures.
Phase change materials (PCM) are substances that absorb and release thermal energy during the process of melting and freezing. When a PCM freezes, it releases a large amount of energy as latent heat at a relatively constant temperature. Conversely, when such material melts, it absorbs a large amount of heat from the environment. PCMs recharge as ambient temperatures fluctuates, making them ideal for various everyday applications that require temperature control.
The simplest and cheapest phase change material is water/ice. Unfortunately, water’s solidification (or melting point) temperature is fixed at 0 °C / 32 °F, making it unsuitable for most temperature-sensitive products. When frozen, the ice is too cold, destroying the efficacy of products needing refrigeration. Meanwhile, ice is too warm for products needing to be kept frozen. The solution? Engineered PCM that melts within the needed temperature parameters and that has a high enthalpy of fusion (the ability to store more heat per unit volume than conventional storage materials such as water; in simple terms—it takes a long time to melt, staying longer at its phase change point resulting in better performance).
There are three types of Cool Cube™ PCM: Refrigerator, Lab Freezer, and Room Temperature. Refrigerator PCM melts at 4.5 °C / 40.1 °F making it ideal for 2 to 8 °C applications needed for vaccine & medicine, 1 to 10 °C use such as blood transport, and 1 to 6 °C purposes like blood storage. Lab Freezer PCM melts at -21.5 °C / -6.7 °F making it suitable for the common -50 to -15 °C parameters required by varicella, MMRV, Zoster, FFP, COVID vaccines, etc. Lastly, room temperature PCM melts at 21.5 °C / 70.7 °F making it suitable for those things needing a 15 to 25 °C environment like medicine & biospecimens, or a 20 to 24 °C environment like platelets & Cryoprecipitated AHF.
Patented, beveled-edge sealed panels house Cool Cube™ PCM. The PCM is safe, non-toxic, 100% renewable, readily biodegradable, with a lifespan of well over 10,000 cycles (uses). The six panels that come with every cooler uniquely fit together to create a chamber surrounding the product 360°. And there is no real trick to packing it out as there is only one way the system goes together—without needing additional ice packs or buffering material. Cool Cube™ PCM is safe and straightforward!