Humidity monitoring


humidity and temperature monitoring for vaccine rollouts


Ian Loudon, international sales and marketing manager at remote monitoring specialists Omniflex, discusses how humidity and temperature monitoring is vital in applications where small fluctuations could compromise critical assets.


costly and time-consuming to fix. As South Africa’s Medical Research Council (MRC) races to immunise its population, it has become clear that remotely monitoring conditions in a facility is the most convenient and cost-effective way to protect assets. In partnership with CAPRISA, five UKZN


U


research sites are playing an integral role in South Africa’s vaccine rollout. The vaccines must be stored in -20°C freezers as part of the preparation process, before being transferred into 2-8°C fridges prior to being administered. Local regulatory authorities require each facility to be monitored to prevent temperature deviations compromising the efficacy of the vaccines.


RepLacIng ObsOLete systems Monitoring of operating temperatures in dry storage facilities, fridges and nitrogen freezers across UKZN sites was previously carried out manually. Visual inspections were required, with a staff member recording data on a clip board or spreadsheet, placing unnecessary burdens on staff to manage the facilities as well as fulfilling their normal responsibilities. Omniflex’s Data2Deskop service motto “Measure, Manage, Save” attracted the attention of management. Since manually recorded data can only reflect


the conditions at the time of reading and cannot immediately identify problems that arise between recording intervals, these protocols are impractical. Furthermore, temperature fluctuations occurring when a laboratory is unmanned could compromise valuable assets. In a worst-case scenario, research materials may deteriorate to the point they cannot be used by the time storage temperature issues have been identified and addressed. With nation-wide vaccine distribution


being the only way out of the pandemic, losing assets to poor monitoring protocols is simply not an option. Therefore, UKZN and other CAPRISA partners, like the Aurum Institute in Johannesburg, engaged Omniflex to provide a remote temperature and humidity monitoring solutions.


LeaRnIng the tOOLs Of the tRade Like the setup provided for Oxford University during its 2020 vaccine trials, plug- in sensors have been placed inside the


40


UKZN fridges and freezers for continuous data recording. These sensors are then networked to the cloud and send out SMS or email alerts in real-time in the event of abnormal temperature variation. For example, if the fridges storing vaccines have ruptured seals, it will likely affect the internal temperature. The relevant personnel will be alerted timeously to ensure appropriate and efficient action is taken. This technology is more cost-effective


and efficient than manual equipment monitoring, and it operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A crucial issue is compliance to FDA 21 CFR Part 11, which suggests any manual recordings could be manipulated. With remote temperature monitoring, data can be collected automatically, free from manipulation, and can capture any errors. However, the monitoring system alone


does not comply with the FDA regulations on Good Laboratory Practice and is integrated into the Standard Operating Procedures of the facility. To be fully compliant, UKZN required a centralised cloud-based system for admin staff to review the archived chronology of operating parameters. Omniflex was able to meet these requirements by installing its Data2Desktop system across the key sites storing vaccines for distribution. Installed using GSM services, independent


of local IT networks, Data2Desktop records a repository of all system data that can be accessed remotely through standard web browsers with designated logins for auditing or post-event analysis. This repository can act as assurance to health officials that the coronavirus vaccine is being stored and distributed correctly. Reporting and alerts are fully automated using emails and SMS to keep management informed 24/7/365.


Omniflex www.omniflex.com


nfavourable laboratory temperatures threaten the integrity of valuable research materials, which could be


Smart parcel Shipping without waSte


L


ivingPackets is using Sensirion’s humidity and temperature sensors in its revolutionary and sustainable packaging solution. Through the use of


innovations such as “THE BOX”, packaging waste will be greatly reduced in over 100 billion deliveries annually. It is well known that human being’s high


consumption and the associated plastic and waste production are a burden on the planet. More than eight million tons of plastic land in the oceans every year, among other things due to filling material from packaging. In addition, more than 700 million trees are felled to produce cardboard packaging for online trade. The company LivingPackets wants to address this problem and is taking the path to a more ecological future with a reusable and smart box. “THE BOX” consists of extremely resistant


material. It can be recycled without limit and can survive up to 1,000 transport trips before it has to be reprocessed. In addition, the packaging offers tracking possibilities and the transport can easily be tracked via an app. This functionality is especially useful for high-quality goods.


The climatic conditions of the goods are also


reliably monitored. Two SHT3x humidity and temperature sensors from Sensirion are used for this purpose. Thanks to the sensors’ small size of only 2.5 × 2.5 × 0.9 mm3


, the humidity and


temperature sensors are easily integrated into the inside and outside boxes. The high-precision and reliable sensors ensure that optimum humidity and constant temperature can be guaranteed even when transporting sensitive and valuable goods. “By integrating Sensirion’s SHT3x digital sensor, we


are able to offer a service that was previously not possible with package deliveries. We can now monitor temperature and humidity throughout the entire delivery period and inform the sender and receiver about it,” says Fabian Kliem, CTO of LivingPackets. “This is particularly interesting when shipping sensitive contents such as laboratory preparations. The next generation of THE BOX will also be equipped with the latest humidity and temperature sensor SHT4x from Sensirion.” “We are convinced that sustainable and innovative


companies like LivingPackets can improve the ecological balance with their products. For this reason, we are happy to support products like “THE BOX” with our innovative sensor solutions,” says Stephan Richter, director Sales at Sensirion.


Sensirion www.sensirion.com September 2021 Instrumentation Monthly


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74