Hannah Sieber’s journey through the world of batteries, from her time at EcoFlow, where she innovated to replace generators with battery power for homes and RVs during emergencies or outdoor adventures, filled her with curiosity about the potential uses of compact batteries.
“It made me question which other sectors could be fundamentally altered,” she reminisced about her thought process back then.
Post-EcoFlow, while studying at Stanford, an idea sparked in Sieber’s mind. She delved into the research on how power outages in California, aimed at reducing wildfire hazards, unfairly affected communities based on their economic status.
She observed a pattern where wealthier areas received more investment in generators and microgrids, leaving behind economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. “The real-world effects of a 56-hour power outage on a small business, like the loss of refrigerated goods, sparked a critical realization for me,” she shared with TechCrunch.
Sieber began exploring the applications of battery-powered refrigeration, especially its potential in the shipping industry due to its environmental repercussions.
“Could electrification of the cold chain be possible? And how would battery-operated shipping manifest?” she pondered.
Sieber’s latest venture, Artyc, embodies her pursuit to answer these questions. With $14 million raised stealthily to date, according to PitchBook, Artyc introduced Medstow Micro, a product designed to facilitate the shipment of temperature-sensitive materials for hospitals, clinical trials, and medical labs.
This innovative device, resembling a compact white plastic cube, can securely hold up to four vials, is powered by a USB-C charged lithium-ion battery running a solid-state heat pump for cooling or heating, effectively maintaining a stable 3 degrees C (37.4 degrees F) for over 56 hours. Enhanced with thermometers, accelerometers, GPS for location tracking, and cellular connectivity, it ensures the integrity and continuous monitoring of its contents.
Artyc’s leasing model for these boxes, a solution that outperforms traditional tracking and cooling methods in both cost and carbon footprint after a handful of uses, emerges as a sustainable option for its clients.
A critical mission for Sieber with the introduction of Medstow Micro is to widen the scope of patient inclusion in clinical trials, breaking the geographical and logistical barriers that currently restrict trial participation to sizable hospitals in big cities. This not only helps patients gain access to potential medical breakthroughs but also benefits the broader medical community by generating results from a more diverse participant base.
Looking ahead, Artyc plans to launch a five-liter product tailored for the shipment of delicate, temperature-sensitive gourmet products, with a larger, 25-liter variant set for release in 2025. “The focus for many of our clients is on the new possibilities for shipping items they couldn’t before,” Sieber explained.
Sieber is finding additional applications for Artyc’s refrigeration technology, from serving as a fail-safe storage option during power outages to streamlining medical rounds in healthcare facilities. “Envision a scenario where a mobile phlebotomist utilizes our technology for daily rounds, enhancing efficiency,” she imagined.
Sieber’s vision extends globally, aiming to bring Artyc’s solutions to underdeveloped regions. “Conversations with global health foundations have been promising,” she noted, focusing on maintaining the efficacy of their solutions under challenging conditions to ensure reliable delivery to remote communities.
“In devising strategies to reach isolated areas where unpredictable road conditions and delays may occur, the objective remains to ensure temperature stability, favoring accessibility to a power source over the reliance on dry ice,” she concluded, looking toward a future facilitated by easier, sustainable shipping solutions.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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