Smart thermocouples for in-line lyophilization monitoring

The paper describes design, development and characterization of a measuring system for in-line temperature monitoring during freeze-drying of harmaceutical chemicals. T-type thermocouples with sub-micrometric thickness deposited via plasma-coated with SiOx film and embedded into the vial walls have been realised as prototypes and successfully tested. The measuring system does not alter the vial shape and its thermal conductivity and does not react with the lyophilized product thus avoiding any interference with the lyophilization process.