Marshmallow-like silicone gels used as insulation in containers for cryopreserved embryos

For the preservation of the frozen embryos/sperm, liquid nitrogen is used to keep the temperatures in the transport containers below minus 150 °C. These containers, which are like a dry sipper with liquid nitrogen absorbers embedded inside, are heavy and often expensive, especially when used for short distance transportation.

In this study, a macroporous silicone gel was tested for its ability to retain liquid nitrogen and its properties. Researchers packed the marshmallow-like gel (MG) into a commercially available vacuum-insulated water bottle and tested its absorption of liquid nitrogen. They found that the gel was able to keep the temperature inside the container below minus 150 °C for 10 hours.

As a further test, the researchers placed mouse embryos in the container with the gel for nine hours and found no clear decrease in the embryos' survival rate.

Since the marshmallow-like gel showed little deterioration after exposure to the liquid nitrogen, the container can be used repeatedly. The process of fabricating MGs is also simple and can be prepared DIY-style by users without experience in chemical synthesis.

These research results were published online in Applied Materials Today on November 1, 2017. The work was supported by the JSPS KAKENHI and the Sasakawa Scientific Research Grant from the Japan Science Society.