Cryogenic equipment is used to contain liquid nitrogen (LN2) for controlled freezing and low-temperature storage of biologic, genomic, and diagnostic samples. It may generate, sustain, or operate at extremely low temperatures and hold or assist with transportation of supercooled liquids or products that are perishable or not heat stable. Equipment for safely storing and transporting samples in LN2 is also available, including tubes and boxes for storing samples, equipment for grinding frozen samples, and vessels for transporting and storing LN2 itself. LN2 storage devices range in capacity from 1 L to close to 200 L. They may also be categorized by the number of samples they can accommodate.

Cryogenic equipment also includes ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers, freezers, and refrigerators. The general division between refrigeration and cryogenics is a temperature of −180°C (−292°F).

What Are the Different Types of Cryogenic Equipment?
• Dewar flasks and LN2 containers are double-walled and have a high vacuum between the walls that prevents the transmission of heat to their contents. They are typically used as holding tanks for LN2 and other cryogenic liquids
• Smaller transfer vessels store and dispense small amounts of LN2 in portable, low-loss containers, and are often used for dispensing into other cryogenic vessels
• LN2 supply tanks safely transport cryogenic industrial gases and are designed to be both durable and user friendly
• Dual storage systems are designed to store and ship samples and feature hard-shell shipping containers
• Specialized cryogenic sample storage systems increase valuable lab space and are designed for both liquid- and vapor-phase storage. They feature automated temperature monitoring and microprocessor-based LN2 level control
• Vials, racks, box systems, and storage canes economically store samples and make cryogenic sample retrieval simple. A range of 2D barcoding products is also available to code individual tubes or complete microplate racks to help with sample identification
• Benchtop cooling systems provide sample cooling or freezing to minimize freeze/thaw cycles when handling samples