freeze-drying

[freez-drahy-ing]

noun

1. a process for drying heat-sensitive substances, as foods, blood plasma, antibiotics, and the like, by freezing the substance and then subliming the ice or other frozen solvent in a high vacuum.

Word History and Origins

Origin of freeze-drying¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

To prevent damage from acid and microbes, conservators usually remove water from these artifacts by freeze-drying or using a process that replaces the water with highly pressurized carbon dioxide or a viscous polymer.

From Science Daily

The process involves blending three main components -- carbon nanotubes, polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethyl cellulose -- followed by freeze-drying.

From Science Daily

The microbes are also too delicate to survive the freeze-drying process that would make them easier to transport.

From Science Daily

Many of the Inca mummies discovered high on Andean mountaintops were preserved by freeze-drying, too.

From National Geographic

About £8m has already been spent preserving and restoring the timbers, which has included freeze-drying the wood at the Mary Rose museum in Portsmouth.

From BBC