High Pressure Vitreous Freezer

The School of Physics and Astronomy has a requirement for a ‘High Pressure Vitreous Freezer’ (HPVF); this is a device that freezes samples to extreme low temperature at an exceptionally high rate to essentially ‘freeze a sample in time’. If a sample is cooled at a slower rate ice may form within/on fragile samples (for example cells), which would swell/crystalise and destroy the nano/microstructure of the sample. Freezing at an exceptionally high rate freezes the sample faster than ice can form, avoiding this issue.

This machine will be used for experimental sample preparation.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL:

• The ability to vitreously freeze small volumes (specimen carriers described later) of soft and liquid samples by using a combination of high pressures and liquid nitrogen
• Must achieve a minimum cooling rate of 2000K/s
• Must be able to exert pressures on the sample in the range of 1900 – 2200 bar during the freezing process to inhibit ice nucleation
• Use 3mm and 6mm diameter planchette specimen carriers to hold the sample during freezing
• Output freezing parameters after the freezing process
• Vitreously freeze non-biological and biological samples up to 200 µm thick
• Use mains electricity in the lab and conform to UK/CE electrical safety standards.
• Installation, commissioning and testing of the equipment.
• User Training provided.
• Access requirements for the lab: Fire exit width: 139cm. Lab door width: 130cm(W) * 210cm(H); Corridor: 159cm(min width); Weight: Passes through corridors with areas of possible max weight “not exceeding 580kg per square metre”.
• 1 year manufacturer’s parts and labour warranty
• Basic level of service contract(extended warranty) + Support helpline and troubleshooting for 3 years post initial warranty period.
• Device should be reliable and have a long supported life (ideally not less than 10 years)
• Product must fit within available lab space; floor plan max area 2m x 2m

OPTIONAL/DESIRABLE:

• The ability to also use other types of “standard” HPF specimen carriers, such as copper tubes (0.4-0.9 mm diameter), sapphire disks, other, etc.
• Able to fit into or Retrofittable into a Correlative Light-Electron Microscopy (CLEM) workflow and/or employ the “Waffle” method for a cryo on-grid thinning workflow. Live cell imaging is not needed (freezing sample seconds after an “event”) as part of the initial requirement. In the future we may want to freeze a sample and observe it with light and electron microscopy but freezing the sample at a specific time is likely not needed.
• Reliable stock of consumables/specimen carriers for purchase

AWARD

The University anticipates initially awarding for;

• Device manufactured, delivered into the lab, installed, commissioned and tested by supplier; to be in a fully operable state
• User training
• 1 year full parts and labour warranty
• Parts and labour extended service for 3 years post warranty

The University welcomes suppliers providing details of their enhanced service offerings for comparison.

INSTALLATION SURVEY:

• Initial measurements have been provided for entrance ways and available floor space above but these are approximations
• The University will take no liability if a supplier subsequently discovers they cannot deliver or install their solution without changes to the building fabric; in such circumstances the University may at its discretion cancel the award and award to the next-ranked supplier
• Giving reasonable notice (and subject to any submission deadline) suppliers may request the opportunity to conduct a single site survey prior to submitting their bid and/or finalising the contract post-award, providing the University and Supplier can agree a mutually convenient date and time. We encourage suppliers to take this opportunity.

MANUFACTURING DEADLINE

Unless otherwise agreed or offered by the University suppliers must meet a deadline to manufacture and deliver the winning machine, and install+ commission it, by no later than end June 2026.

Awarded following a stand-still as specified in the regulations