*** For details on how to be removed from this list visit the *** *** CCP4 home page http://www.ccp4.ac.uk ***
As far as I understand, the dewar doesn't even go through customs within the EU, so it is likely to be the courier company (or some airport safety people) who opens them. We've had TNT turn the dewar upside down to see if there's any liquid... They called me at 9 pm to ask what this thing was and seemed content with my answers. Then they called me again at 10 pm and told that something cold was coming out when they turned it upside down... (Of course the 'keep upright' stickers were on only two or three sides of the box, so they may have missed them...) Surprisingly enough the crystals (in ESRF pucks) appeared unharmed. We also usually secure the top by wire, which usually has arrived unopened from Helsinki to Grenoble. Esko Quoting "Leslie A." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > *** For details on how to be removed from this list visit the *** > *** CCP4 home page http://www.ccp4.ac.uk *** > > > > We recently sent two dewars of crystals by DHL to ESRF for data > collection. On opening the dewars at the ESRF, it was obvious that the > dewars (or at least one of them) had been opened during transit. The > "groove" in the top to the dewar that accommodates the handle for the > basket had been ignored when the top was replaced, and the top had > clearly been forced back into the dewar, gouging out a new "groove". > > The result was a significant accumulation of ice on the pucks, which > subsequently caused serious problems with the automatic sample > changer, which got jammed by the ice. In addition, and most > importantly, the diffraction from the crystals, which had been > carefully screened prior to the trip, was so poor that no useful data > could be collected. > > Has anyone else had a similar experience ? > > We used to secure the tops to the dewars with cable ties, but did not > do so on this trip. Following this experience we are tempted to use a > padlock, but this may provoke the use of greater force in opening the > dewar. > > One worrying thought is that this is the first time that we have > transported the crystals in pucks rather than in canes. Is it possible > that the customs people are unaccustomed (excuse the pun) to seeing > pucks rather than canes, and that is why they wanted to investigate ? > Are customs officials the only people who would open a dewar in > transit ? > > Is there any way that this can be avoided in the future ? > > Any information/thoughts are greatly welcome > > > Matt Bowler and Andrew Leslie > >
