Introduction

Maintaining a temperature well below ambient, and monitoring this temperature carefully, are critical to extending the shelf life of reagents used for in vitro diagnostics. Most reagents require refrigeration and would spoil within hours at room temperatures. Reagents can degrade and become contaminated by microbial growth, which can affect test integrity results. Reagents can also be negatively impacted if they undergo too many freeze and thaw cycles. 

Introduction

Industrial lasers are used for a wide range of applications including cutting, welding, micro-machining, additive manufacturing and drilling. No matter the application, industrial laser systems generate a significant amount of heat. There are several different types of industrial laser technologies, ultimately distinguished by the power density of the laser and its use. The commonality of every laser system is the need for advanced cooling of the power source and the laser optics.

Introduction

Laser projectors used for entertainment applications utilize laser modules to generate 4K-resolution images with a robust color palette and up to 75,000 lumens. While commercial laser projector systems quickly have evolved to be more energy-efficient, these systems still require up to 6kW to generate bright, high-resolution images. This is needed to project in cinemas and large venues at stadiums. Consequently, the high-power laser systems generate a significant amount of heat during operation.

Introduction

Additive manufacturing, better known as 3D printing, is an emerging application that is finding an expanding purpose in the manufacturing process. Once primarily used for quickly making prototype parts, 3D printing is now also used to digitize workflow and manufacture production quality final products. There are many different types of 3D printing methods used to physically create a desired object.

Introduction

The use of outdoor cameras has seen a massive influx with the rise in security monitoring by government and private security agencies. Security cameras are installed with an objective to reduce crime or to improve public safety. CCTV and IP security cameras are installed on every corner in cities, outside hotels and retail stores, all around entertainment venues, stadiums and other commercial and industrial properties. Thermal cameras (infrared sensing) are now often used to improve facility and boarder security at night.

Introduction

The implementation of automated metrology systems has been a key to achieving cost effective semiconductor fabrication. The complex nature of semiconductor fabrication requires multiple tests between processing steps to inspect defects as well as measure dimensional properties including thickness, refractive index, resistivity and stress of the thin films. Because thermal noise can impact the image resolution of sensitive optical components in automated metrology systems, a thermal management system is required.

Introduction

Semiconductor metrology is critical in the semiconductor fabrication process. The complex nature of semiconductor fabrication now requires multiple test stages in between processing steps. Thin film semiconductor wafers are tested using several techniques including ellipsometry and reflectometry. Sophisticated optical equipment is used to inspect for defects as well as for accurate dimensional measurements. Manufacturers of optical inspection systems must integrate a thermal solution for temperature stabilization of optical components.

Thermoelectric Chillers for Low-Power Lasers

Introduction

Lasers come in many different sizes and power levels. High power lasers are commonly used for brazing, metal cutting, deep metal welds and metal cleaning, while low power lasers can be used for printing & marking, soldering, plastic welding and laser powder remelting. For all laser technologies, OEMs seek advanced cooling of the power source and the laser optics to maintain peak performance and long life operation.

Introduction

Mass spectrometers measure the mass-to-charge ratio of molecules in a given sample. The technology helps forensic scientists and medical professionals, among others, identify a complex substance’s elements for applications in drug testing, food contamination detection, pesticide residue analysis, isotope ratio determination, protein identification and carbon dating. In medical labs, the equipment can diagnose nutritional and metabolism deficiencies, identify biomarkers and enzymes, and determine toxic levels of dangerous substances.