Notes about Smart Tube caps: the cap is an off-the-shelf screw-cap from Thermo Fisher Scientific. It has the standard 20-400 thread specification that is used by many brands of 15ml conicals such as the "Falcon" brand as well as some Corning 15ml conicals. As discussed below, placing the Smart Tubes in the Purple Storage Trays for storage and shipping is greatly recommended and will prevent the caps from loosening during shipment.
Here are some of our recommendations for shipping samples banked frozen in Smart Tubes:
Note: During all handling steps, ensure that the Smart Tubes are exposed to temperatures above -80C for no more than 30 seconds. We highly recommend shipping the Smart Tubes in the Purple Storage Trays that are provided as their original packaging.
1. Double-check that the caps are snugly fastened to the Smart Tubes after being frozen at -80C. The drop in temperature from 37C to -80C results in thermal contraction of plastics so if the caps were not affixed with enough torque before freezing they may become loose. The best way to prevent the caps from coming off of the Smart Tubes during shipping is to check that they are snugly fastened after being frozen at -80C (ie. right before packing the shipment) and use the Purple Storage Trays for storage and shipping as these trays press on the caps to prevent them from rotating and also prevent the caps of adjacent Smart Tubes from rubbing together during shipment. The Purple Trays are made of a polymer (a polyolefin) specifically selected for its excellent low temperature performance. When loaded with Smart Tubes these trays can be stacked and stacks of five trays placed in the white chipboard boxes that were the original packaging (or, if the white boxes are not available the stack can be taped together) for best shipping performance. Additional Purple Trays and white chipboard boxes may be purchased separately if you need more.
2. Pack the Smart Tubes buried in Dry Ice. Do not simply place the Smart Tubes on the surface of the Dry Ice, they must be covered by the Dry Ice to ensure they are maintained at the optimal shipping temperature.
3. Use enough Dry Ice to last for more than the expected duration of the trip.
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