How Batteries Could Revolutionize Cold Shipping: Insights from Artyc's Innovative Approach

Hannah Sieber, co-founder of EcoFlow, has long understood the transformative potential of batteries. Her experience with EcoFlow, where batteries replaced generators for various applications, sparked a curiosity about other industries that could benefit from similar innovations.

This curiosity led her to explore battery-powered refrigeration, particularly in the context of shipping.

Discovering the Opportunity

After leaving EcoFlow and enrolling at Stanford, Sieber researched the impact of power shutoffs in California, aimed at reducing wildfire risk. She observed that wealthier communities received more investment in generators and microgrids, while smaller, poorer communities were left vulnerable. This discrepancy highlighted the challenges faced by small businesses during power outages, particularly those reliant on refrigeration.

The Birth of Artyc

Sieber’s investigations into refrigeration and its climate impacts led her to a pivotal question: “Could we electrify the cold chain?” This inquiry birthed her new startup, Artyc.

The company has already raised $14 million, as reported by PitchBook, and launched its first product, the Medstow Micro. This device aids hospitals, clinical trials, and medical laboratories in shipping temperature-sensitive specimens.

The Medstow Micro

The Medstow Micro is a compact, white plastic cube designed to hold up to four vials. It features a USB-C port for charging a lithium-ion battery that powers a solid-state heat pump, maintaining a constant temperature of 3 degrees Celsius (37.4 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least 56 hours. The device also includes thermometers, accelerometers, GPS, and cellular connectivity to monitor and track the shipment.

Artyc leases these boxes, which replace traditional tracking hardware and disposable cooling methods like ice packs or dry ice. Sieber notes that the boxes typically break even after about four shipments and have a better carbon footprint than competing methods after just two shipments.

Expanding Access and Applications

One of Sieber’s goals with the Medstow Micro is to enhance patient access to clinical trials. Currently, most trials are conducted in major metropolitan hospitals, excluding many eligible participants. By enabling the secure and efficient shipping of temperature-sensitive specimens, Artyc’s technology could democratize access to these trials, benefiting both patients and the medical field.

Artyc’s product line is set to expand with a five-liter model targeting high-value, temperature-sensitive foods like herbs, chocolate, and wine, followed by a 25-liter version planned for 2025. This expansion addresses customer needs for shipping items that currently can’t be transported effectively.

Diverse Applications and Future Prospects

Beyond healthcare, Artyc’s technology has potential applications in various sectors. Hospitals and clinical labs are considering using the boxes as blackout-proof storage or mobile refrigerators to simplify rounds. Sieber envisions scenarios where mobile phlebotomists could use these portable units for daily rounds, enhancing efficiency and reliability.

Artyc is also exploring opportunities in global health, particularly in rural areas with challenging logistics. The team is working on ensuring temperature stability under adverse conditions, emphasizing that sourcing power outlets is often easier than procuring dry ice in remote locations.

Hannah Sieber’s innovative approach at Artyc exemplifies how batteries can disrupt and transform industries beyond traditional uses. By addressing critical needs in cold shipping and expanding access to essential services, Artyc is poised to make a significant impact on both the environment and global health.