Two NSF ERCs Collaborate on Building a Sustainable Cryogenic Supply Chain
Outcome/Accomplishment
Two National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Engineering Research Centers (ERCs), the ERC for Advanced Technologies for the Preservation of Biological Systems (ATP-Bio), based at the University of Minnesota, and the ERC for Environmentally Applied Technology Hub (EARTH) ), headquartered at the University of Kansas, are partnering to explore sustainable solutions for the future of cryopreservation.
Impact/Benefits
By bringing together ATP-Bio’s expertise in cryobiology and cryogenic engineering and EARTH’s expertise in environmentally friendly refrigeration technologies, the collaboration aims to advance the infrastructure needed to preserve, transport, and store living biological systems more efficiently and sustainably. The collaboration, informally known as Project COOLER (Cryopreservation of Organs with Low Effect Refrigerants), is focused on integrating sustainable refrigeration technologies into the cryopreservation pipeline, helping create environmentally responsible solutions without compromising performance.
Project COOLER thus represents an exciting example of how collaboration across NSF Engineering Research Centers can accelerate innovation while addressing both biomedical and environmental challenges. Together, the Centers are laying the groundwork for a future where advanced biopreservation technologies are supported by a scalable, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible cryogenic supply chain.
Explanation/Background
As cryobiology advances toward clinical-scale vitrification, organ preservation, and large-scale transport of living biological materials, the need for next-generation cooling systems, cryogenic transport technologies, and sustainable storage solutions continues to grow. This cross-ERC partnership leverages the complementary strengths of ATP-Bio and EARTH to address these emerging challenges while supporting the growing global bioeconomy.
Location
Minneapolis, Minnesotawebsite
Start Year
Biotechnology and Healthcare
Biotechnology and Healthcare
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Outcome/Accomplishment
Two National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Engineering Research Centers (ERCs), the ERC for Advanced Technologies for the Preservation of Biological Systems (ATP-Bio), based at the University of Minnesota, and the ERC for Environmentally Applied Technology Hub (EARTH) ), headquartered at the University of Kansas, are partnering to explore sustainable solutions for the future of cryopreservation.
Location
Minneapolis, Minnesotawebsite
Start Year
Biotechnology and Healthcare
Biotechnology and Healthcare
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Impact/benefits
By bringing together ATP-Bio’s expertise in cryobiology and cryogenic engineering and EARTH’s expertise in environmentally friendly refrigeration technologies, the collaboration aims to advance the infrastructure needed to preserve, transport, and store living biological systems more efficiently and sustainably. The collaboration, informally known as Project COOLER (Cryopreservation of Organs with Low Effect Refrigerants), is focused on integrating sustainable refrigeration technologies into the cryopreservation pipeline, helping create environmentally responsible solutions without compromising performance.
Project COOLER thus represents an exciting example of how collaboration across NSF Engineering Research Centers can accelerate innovation while addressing both biomedical and environmental challenges. Together, the Centers are laying the groundwork for a future where advanced biopreservation technologies are supported by a scalable, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible cryogenic supply chain.
Explanation/Background
As cryobiology advances toward clinical-scale vitrification, organ preservation, and large-scale transport of living biological materials, the need for next-generation cooling systems, cryogenic transport technologies, and sustainable storage solutions continues to grow. This cross-ERC partnership leverages the complementary strengths of ATP-Bio and EARTH to address these emerging challenges while supporting the growing global bioeconomy.