Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

The research activities of the applicants for this equipment include biotechnology and materials for the production of therapeutic proteins, virus products, protein food ingredients and biocomposite materials for automotive applications. These applications require the availability of significant quantities of stable bioproducts over long periods of time. The drying of bioproducts allows their storage for prolonged periods of time. A freeze-drying system is a mild drying operation that avoids the use of air and high temperatures which is advantageous for bioproducts because it preserves the quality of these products. The principle of operation consists of an initial freezing of the product with subsequent removal of the water from the product by using a very low pressure that leads to the vaporization of the frozen water. This approach is unique in that there is very little movement of water within the bioproduct to be frozen. The significant costs due to the low pressure required and the long time required to achieve the drying require a reliable vacuum pump and a precise control of the individual steps leading to the drying of the bioproducts.