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

That was over the summer, so he turned off the air conditioner, began freeze-drying bulk food purchases rather than storing them in his electric freezer, and started shutting off his lights more often.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.

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

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

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

Read more on National Geographic