Updated on February 21, 2024

·

Created on September 26, 2019

Isobar

Upcoming Update

Isobar is a portable refrigerator, designed to keep vaccines at the ideal temperature for places where electricity and other facilities are scarce.

Developed By
  1. William Broadway
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

IsobarĀ is designed to keep vaccines at the ideal temperature for places where electricity and other facilities are scarce, it works on the principal of Einstein refrigeration system developed in 1906. The system uses ammonia as the refrigerant and 2-phase refrigeration brings the cooling effect. The device uses a propane burner or electric heater to separate the vapors of ammonia and water to bring the cooling effect. Isobar uses an automatic valve which helps in evaporation of Ammonia into the original chamber and gives a powerful cooling effect.Ā Isobar maintains stable temperature control (2-8 ĖšC) up to 30-days. The product is in the prototyping and development phase.

Target SDGs

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Public Sector Agencies, NGOs

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The designer is exploring the options on scale-up and running a pilot study with some of the organizations in the same domain. Supporting organizations includeĀ McKinsey venture Academy andĀ Loughborough University.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Coolar and Arktek Passive Vaccine Storage Device.

Manufacturing/Building Method

This product is in the prototyping phase and not yet manufactured at scale. The development is supported by the University of Luxembourg.

Intellectural Property Type

Select Type

User Provision Model

The product is in the prototyping phase, the designer can be contacted through their website.

Distributions to Date Status

Unknown

Gross storage capacity (L)

1.6 L

Holding Temp (Ā°C)

2-8Ā Ā°C

Holdover Time (days)

6 days

Number of Shelves

Unknown

Power Requirements

Battery operated

Vaccine storage capacity (Liters)

1.6 L

Design Specifications

Isobar is based on Einstein cooling technique or absorption refrigeration system which uses ammonia and water as refrigerants. The device turns ammonia into vapors which are then passed through a small orifice using an automatic control valve that brings the cooling effect. The device is designed to carry a specified load carriage for rural trips. The device is capable of delivering 8 kg of load in a 1.6 L unit that is capable of delivering dosages in rural areas.Ā Ā It can be sustainably recharged in an hour using a 900 W heating element for day-to-day use and a propane burner that can be recharged on-the-go in case of emergency for up to 30-days. The device meets the international standards for temperature safe vaccine distribution which if not followed leads to vaccine freezing and potency. Isobar maintains stable temperature control (2-8 ?C) up to 30-days.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

None

Replacement Components

Replaceable components include the propane canister and ammonia as the refrigerant.

Lifecycle

The device can be charged in an hour using a 900 W heating element for day-to-day use and a propane burner that can be recharged on-the-go in case of emergency for up to 30-days.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Designer specified performance targets include: designed for remote locations, lightweight, durable, portable, and low-cost solution to provide vaccines in rural areas.

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown, the device was built and tested to develop the mechanical proof of the principal unit.

Safety

The design of the device permits the use of chemical-based refrigeration but the potential hazards related to the operation of this product include accidental leakage of ammonia and propane.

Complementary Technical Systems

A reliable power source of 900 W or a propane canister as the heating source is required to charge this product.

Academic Research and References

Li, T.X., Wang, R.Z., Yan, T. and Ishugah, T.F., 2014,Ā Integrated energy storage and energy upgrade, combined cooling and heating supply, and waste heat recovery with solidā€“gas thermochemical sorption heat transformer, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer,Ā 76, pp. 237-246.

Aydin, D., Casey, S.P. and Riffat, S., 2015,Ā The latest advancements on thermochemical heat storage systems, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews,Ā 41, pp. 356-367.

Mejbri, K., Ezzine, N.B., Guizani, Y. and Bellagi, A., 2006,Ā Discussion of the feasibility of the Einstein refrigeration cycle, International Journal of Refrigeration,Ā 29(1), pp. 60-70.

Michael Baggs,”This invention by a British student could save millions of lives across the world“, BBC, 2016.

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Evaluation methods

The designer is planning a pilot study on the deviceā€™s effectiveness.

Other Information

McKinsey Venture Academy 2nd place winner

James Dyson Award

Leave a Reply

Explore similar solutions

Agriculture

November 7, 2023

Neopenda Vital Signs Monitor for Newborns

Read Solution

Implemented by

Neopenda

Agriculture

December 28, 2023

Pivot Fuel

Read Solution

Implemented by

Pivot Works Ltd.

Agriculture

February 5, 2024

Prepex Circumcision Device

Read Solution

Implemented by

Circ MedTech

Agriculture

February 5, 2024

Quicksee

Read Solution

Implemented by

PlenOptika

Agriculture

February 5, 2024

SmartCane

Read Solution

Implemented by

SmartCane TM

Agriculture

January 31, 2024

SolSuffit SuniCook

Read Solution

Implemented by

SolSuffit

Agriculture

February 26, 2024

Foldscope

Read Solution

Implemented by

Foldscope Instruments

Agriculture

March 8, 2024

Synthetic Sleeping Mat

Read Solution

Implemented by

NRSRelief

Agriculture

February 6, 2024

Toray LIVMOA (PPE)

Read Solution

Implemented by

Toray Industries Inc.

Agriculture

January 3, 2024

Zimba automatic chlorine dispenser

Read Solution

Implemented by

Suprio Das

All Solutions

Contribute to E4C's Library of Breakthrough Sustainable Development Technology Solutions

Suggest A Solution

Get more information about Solutions Library and its features.

Learn More

Have thoughts on how we can improve?

Give Us Feedback

Join a global community of changemakers.

Become A Member