PlateFreezer

PlateFreezer is a term used for a class of laboratory devices designed to rapidly freeze samples contained in standard assay plates, such as 96-well or 384-well microplates, as well as plate arrays used in various research and diagnostic workflows. The concept covers two main designs: contact plate freezers and low-temperature freezers with plate carriers.

Contact plate freezers achieve rapid freezing by placing the plate directly on a precooled cold plate or heat sink, so samples freeze through conduction. Low-temperature plate freezers employ refrigerated chambers or specialized racks to expose the plate to uniform low temperatures, often in the range of -40°C to -80°C; some configurations can use liquid nitrogen for ultra-rapid freezing. Both designs aim to minimize ice crystal formation, preserve sample integrity, and provide uniform cooling across the plate area.

Operation typically involves loading the prepared plate into the device, ensuring proper alignment with the cooling surface or carrier, and initiating a freezing cycle with monitored temperature profiles. After the cycle completes, the plate is removed for storage or downstream processing. Typical applications include cryopreservation of adherent or suspension cell cultures in multiwell formats, archiving samples for longitudinal studies, high-throughput screening workflows, and freezing samples for microbiology assays or diagnostic panels.

Advantages of plate freezers include improved reproducibility, reduced handling time for large plate sets, and better control of freezing rates across wells. Limitations can include equipment cost, the need for compatible plate formats, and potential cross-contamination if lids or seals are not properly managed. PlateFreezer devices are widely used in biotech, pharmaceutical, and academic laboratories, where standardized, rapid plate freezing supports reliable sample preservation and workflow efficiency.