Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Determining the Ice-binding Planes of Antifreeze Proteins by Fluorescence-based Ice Plane Affinity
Published on: January 15, 2014
Vitrification enhancement by synthetic ice blocking agents
121st Century Medicine, Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, USA. wowk@21cm.com
Abstract:
Small concentrations of the synthetic polymer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were found to inhibit formation of ice in water/cryoprotectant solutions. Ice inhibition improved with decreasing molecular weight. A PVA copolymer of molecular weight 2 kDa consisting of 20% vinyl acetate was found to be particularly effective. PVA copolymer concentrations of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1% w/w decreased the concentration of glycerol required to vitrify in a 10-ml volume by 1, 3, 4, and 5% w/w, respectively. Dimethyl sulfoxide concentrations required for vitrification were also reduced by 1, 2, 2, and 3% w/w, respectively. Crystallization of ice on borosilicate glass in contact with cryoprotectant solutions was inhibited by only 1 ppm of PVA copolymer. Devitrification of ethylene glycol solutions was also strongly inhibited by PVA copolymer. Visual observation and differential scanning calorimeter data suggest that PVA blocks ice primarily by inhibition of heterogeneous nucleation. PVA thus appears to preferentially bind and inactivate heterogeneous nucleators and/or nascent ice crystals in a manner similar to that of natural antifreeze proteins found in cold-hardy fish and insects. Synthetic PVA-derived ice blocking agents can be produced much less expensively than antifreeze proteins, offering new opportunities for improving cryopreservation by vitrification.
Related Concept Videos
Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria
Cold Weather Concreting
To counteract the negative impacts of cold weather, ensuring...
Frost Action on Concrete
This freeze-thaw cycle primarily causes surface scaling, where...
Frost Resistant Concrete
Introducing microscopic air bubbles into the concrete mix through air entrainment creates small voids that accommodate ice expansion, thereby reducing internal pressures and preventing cracking. The optimal amount of entrained...
Air-entraining Agents
Effects of Air-entrainment in Concrete

