L3-GEN-EMBR-VIT
CRITICAL
PRESERVATION
Level 3 · hardware
Vitrification Protocol System
Ultra-Rapid Cooling Vitrification Equipment
Equipment for ultra-rapid cooling of embryos achieving vitrification (glass-like solidification)
Purpose
Equipment for ultra-rapid cooling of embryos achieving vitrification (glass-like solidification)
Context
Child of L2-GEN-EMBR
Principles
- ▸Vitrification requires cooling rates >20,000 C/min to avoid ice crystal formation
- ▸Open carrier systems (Cryotop, Cryolock) enable direct contact with LN2 for fastest cooling
- ▸Cryoprotectant loading in precise concentration gradients prevents osmotic damage
- ▸Warming rate equally critical - must be >20,000 C/min to prevent devitrification
Typical implementations
- ▸Kitazato Cryotop vitrification system (most widely used globally)
- ▸CryoLogic Vitrification Method (CVM) slow programmable protocol
- ▸Irvine Scientific VitriFit vitrification device
Lunar considerations
- ▸Vitrification was performed on Earth pre-launch - Ark stores already-vitrified samples
- ▸Long-term stability of vitrified state at -196C is critical open research question
- ▸Warming equipment must be available if samples ever need to be revived
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Equipment for ultra-rapid cooling of embryos achieving vitrification (glass-like solidification) |
Physical
| materials | Cryotop carriers, Ethylene glycol cryoprotectant, DMSO cryoprotectant, Sucrose buffer solutions |
Interfaces
Provides
- Vitrified embryos ready for long-term storage
Requires
- LN2 supply for vitrification plunge cooling
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Vitrification Protocol System" (L3-GEN-EMBR-VIT). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-GEN-EMBR-VIT
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.