Storage apparatuses and related methods for storing temperature-sensitive items

A storage apparatus for storing at least one temperature-sensitive material at a controlled temperature, the storage apparatus comprising:

• an enclosure structure including,
• a storage compartment configured to hold the at least one temperature-sensitive material;
• a thermal transfer assembly adjacent to and in thermal communication with the storage compartment, the thermal transfer assembly including,
• a phase change material;
• one or more heat pipes positioned at least partially within the phase change material, the one or more heat pipes including one or more exterior surfaces at least partially surrounded by the phase change material;
• and
• a plurality of thermally conductive fins in thermal communication with the one or more heat pipes and positioned at least partially within the phase change material;
• a thermoelectric heat pump in thermal communication with the one or more heat pipes;
• a heat sink in thermal communication with the thermoelectric heat pump;
• at least one temperature sensor configured to measure temperature in at least one of the storage compartment or the thermal transfer assembly;
• and
• a controller operably coupled to the thermoelectric heat pump and to the at least one temperature sensor, the controller being configured to direct the thermoelectric heat pump to controllably cool the phase change material so that a temperature of the storage compartment is controlled responsive to information from the at least one temperature sensor.