Cryogenic Vaccine Storage Assembly for Air Drop

Introduction

Many regions globally lack reliable access to vaccines, especially due to logistical challenges and natural disasters. This project addresses vaccine distribution in remote areas by developing a portable, robust cryogenic vaccine storage system specifically designed for aerial delivery. The goal is to maintain vaccine integrity at ultra-low temperatures (−70°C) for at least 12 hours during air transportation and subsequent air drops, primarily targeting challenging environments such as South Sudan, Madagascar, and Papua New Guinea.

Methods

• Utilized vacuum insulation panels, dry ice sublimation, and thermoelectric (Peltier) cells, enhanced with fan-driven airflow to maintain ultra-low temperatures.
• Performed detailed thermal analyses using MATLAB and ANSYS, evaluating steady-state and transient scenarios and modeling worst-case environmental conditions (42°C ambient, 1000 W/m² solar radiation, 6.5 m/s wind speeds).
• Integrated thermal sensors and Starlink hardware for real-time temperature monitoring and active control.

Results

• Transient simulations showed effective temperature management through typical daily cycles.
• Simulations guided the optimal configuration of vaccine shelves and precise fan placements, significantly improving internal airflow and cooling efficiency.
• Thermal modeling validated that sublimating about 5.25 kg of dry ice over a 14-hour duration is sufficient and achievable.