Sample Inventory Management
Automated Sample Inventory Management System
The Automated Sample Inventory Management System is an RFID-tracked catalog and robotic retrieval subsystem within the L1-CRY cryogenic archive, designed to track, locate, and access biological specimens representing 6.7 million species. Using barcode and RFID tags, the system identifies samples without visual contact and monitors cold-chain integrity to prevent materials from exceeding critical temperature thresholds. Engineering the system for lunar deployment requires fully autonomous operation across multiple storage vessels for over 100 years without human intervention. Robotic retrieval mechanisms must function reliably within cryogenic constraints, extracting individual target samples without warming adjacent stored specimens.
RFID-tracked sample catalog with robotic retrieval and database management for 6.7M species
Purpose
Track, locate, and enable robotic retrieval of any biological sample in the cryogenic archive
Context
Component of L1-CRY within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸Barcode/RFID tagging enables automated sample identification without visual access
- ▸Robotic retrieval systems access individual samples without warming adjacent specimens
- ▸Database management tracks sample location, history, and viability status
- ▸Cold-chain integrity monitoring ensures samples never exceed critical temperature thresholds
Typical implementations
- ▸Brooks Life Sciences automated biobank storage systems
- ▸Hamilton BiOS automated -80C sample management
- ▸Thermo Fisher Scientific CryoExtra cryogenic storage with inventory tracking
- ▸Azenta (formerly Brooks) automated compound storage systems
Lunar considerations
- ▸Robotic sample retrieval must operate within cryogenic environment constraints
- ▸Inventory system must function autonomously for 100+ years without human operators
- ▸Sample retrieval must not compromise thermal environment of remaining samples
- ▸System must track millions of samples across multiple storage vessels
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Track, locate, and enable robotic retrieval of any biological sample in the cryogenic archive |
Operational
| thermal range c | -173, 127 |
| lifetime years | 100 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Sample retrieval and placement services for genetic archive
- Sample inventory data and viability records
Requires
- Robotic manipulation for sample handling
- Inventory database hosting and query processing
Decomposes into
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Sample Inventory Management" (L2-CRY-INV). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L2-CRY-INV
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.