JDU BOOSTS RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE WITH CRYOGENIC GRINDER

Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa continues to develop its research potential through the purchase of specialised equipment as part of the project "Programme for the development of scientific research, transfer of innovation, internationalisation and education at Jan Dlugosz University", financed by the Programme of the Minister of Science and Higher Education under the name Regional Excellence Initiative. The latest acquisition of the university is a cryogenic grinder.

It is a specialised device used to grind samples at extremely low temperatures, usually using liquid nitrogen (approx. –196°C). By cooling the material to cryogenic temperatures, the substances become brittle, which makes them easier to grind without losing their chemical and physical properties.

Cryogenic grinders are widely used in many fields of science and industries, such as:

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry
* Grinding of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to improve their bioavailability.
* Grinding of biological materials (DNA, proteins) for molecular analysis.
* Preparation of samples for chromatographic studies (GC-MS, HPLC).

Food industry
* Grinding spices, grains, nuts and products with a high fat content, the treatment of which at room temperature would lead to melting or loss of quality
* Material testing
* Grinding of plastics (e.g. polymers, rubber) for thermal analyses (DSC, TGA).* Preparation of metallic and ceramic samples for structural and material testing. 

Chemical industry
* Grinding of chemically unstable or heat-sensitive substances.
* Grinding of explosive and hazardous materials under controlled safety conditions.

Forensic Science and Toxicology
* Preparation of biological samples (e.g. tissues, hair) for toxicological analysis.
* Shredding of evidence (e.g. fibres, drug residues) for forensic examination.

Co-fnanced by the Ministry of Science under the "Regional Excellence Initiative" Programme