International Laboratory Freezer Challenge

The Freezer Challenge at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is focused on engaging, educating, and motivating researchers, faculty, staff, and students to promote the best lab-management sample-storage practices and leadership in environmental stewardship.

The university started by participating in the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge in the 2016-2017 academic year and has been honored six times (two first place, three “Winning Streak”, and one honorable mention) in the academic category.

2023 Winning Streak Award

In 2023, the university earned its fourth Winning Streak Award with its highest ever participation rate to date. 94 research groups submitted 67 scoresheets setting a new campus record in the competition by saving 1,314 kWhs/day or 479,610 kWHs/year (a cost savings of ~$55,000)

Top Performing Labs

Key Actions Taken

Action Items	Impacts
Freezers retired	21
ULT Freezers “Chilled Up” to -70 degrees Celsius	15
Freezer units entered	520
Freezers upgraded to more efficient units	19
Freezers and refrigerators front doors brushed of frost	121
Units defrosted and cleaned coils/filters	116
Freezers with samples removed/cleaned since August	326
Room temperature sample storage (RTSS) for kits and reagents (DR + DU)	19
STD freezer boxes converted to high density boxes	30
Units where inventory tracking was created	286
Freezer units shared with labs	180
Freezers and refrigerators defrosted	149
Units with bar coded inventory	89
Number of samples discarded since August 2022	10,440,000

How the Freezer Challenge Works

From January through July, researchers filled out scorecards to earn points for implementing cold management storage best practices that improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and protect sample integrity. Techniques being used consistently in labs across campus include:

• Regularly managing and organizing samples to avoid overcrowding and reduce the number of cold storage units needed
• Defrosting units to prevent the buildup of ice
• Washing and replacing filters as recommended by the manufacturer’s guidelines, vacuuming condenser coils, and removing any debris that potentially blocks heat exchange
• Checking doors and component seals to prevent the loss of conditioned air
• Performing regular equipment checks and scheduling preventive maintenance
• Barcoding and tracking sample inventory, utilizing room temperature storage techniques, and sharing space to increase efficiency
• Reducing overall space utilization also lowers greenhouse gas emissions
  

Previous U of I Freezer Challenge Honors