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CLIENT
CDC National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS)
ROLE
User research, packaging design/engineering
COLLABORATORS
Joshua Wang (GT), Rory Welsh (CDC)
TIMELINE
Aug-Dec 2023 (revisited Sept 2025 for regulatory approval)
THE MODERN COLD CHAIN
Current shipping methods are inconsistent in (dis)assembly and ability to provide steady cooling, and wasteful from an environmental standpoint.
CryoSafe accommodates varying community needs and sample volumes while promoting the use of standardized NWSS data collection processes nationwide, providing the infrastructure to detect and respond to disease outbreaks at scale.
STAKEHOLDER MAP
KEY CONTRADICTIONS IN HOW PRODUCT IS USED
THE DISCREPANCY
Though data collection and analysis protocols are well defined, the way samples are packaged is not, leading to inconsistent shipment conditions and a greater risk of sample contamination and breakage just as operators begin to relax.
BOOTS ON THE GROUND
A morph matrix helped narrow down the number of combinations requiring physical mock-ups and further exploration as technical stakeholders in logistics, wastewater, and virology indicated preferred configurations.
The overwhelming preference was for disposable/recyclable solutions within nesting package structures. However, there was little consensus regarding cooling materials.
PHYSICAL PAIN POINTS
Ergonomic overlays helped anticipate and make sense of wrist strain during tube removal with a precision grip and narrow down ideal conditions for package (dis)assembly.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Sustainable, modular, scalable: maximize consistent cooling through insulated and conductive nested surfaces while allowing for intuitive (dis)assembly and package handling
OUTER INSULATING LAYER
A 7-layer mixed cardboard (honeycomb and corrugated) structure combined with bio-DWR spray allowed us to maximize both cooling and biodegradability.
INNER CONDUCTING LAYER
Funnel mouth guides easy 3-finger access and leakproofs while a direct connection to a cooling pack of choice through conductive aluminum allows for stable internal temperatures. Fully reusable/recyclable.
STRESS TESTING
We simulated mail truck conditions, (frequent jostling, 30 C) to verify the proposed combination's effectiveness. It outperformed a standard EPS (styrofoam)/Nalgene bottle setup by two hours.
POSTAL COMPATIBILITY
A 1-sample and 6-sample box both perfectly fit USPS priority mail small and large packages respectively, while the product-specific label details package breakdown and allows for written labeling.
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