Latest news with #cryogenic
ABC News
15-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Melbourne woman's body the second to be cryogenically frozen by Southern Cryonics
In a nondescript facility near Holbrook in New South Wales, a woman's body has been cryogenically frozen in the hope that science will one day revive her. Her body is one of two that now lie inside the Southern Cryonics facility, suspended in liquid nitrogen at around -200 degrees Celsius. On July 4, the Melbourne woman died in hospital from chronic illness. Within minutes, Southern Cryonics staff waiting in Melbourne initiated the "cooling process", packing her body in iced water for transport to a funeral home. There, equipped with 250 kilograms of specialist tools, chemicals and cooling agents, a doctor and two clinical perfusionists from a company called Australian Blood Management began a further cooling process lasting six hours. The woman's body was then encased in its final resting place — a cryogenic chamber filled with liquid nitrogen at Holbrook. So far, more than 600 people around the world have undergone the radical procedure. Cryonics is high on spectacle, but critically short on scientific support. RMIT cell and tissue cryopreservation expert Saffron Bryant said despite the excitement surrounding cryonics, the science was far from catching up. Dr Bryant said the challenge was in the freezing process itself because when water inside cells turned to ice it expanded and caused damage. To mitigate that damage, scientists use cryoprotective agents — special chemicals that reduce ice formation — but it is a different story for whole organs. "Organs are made up of lots of different types of cells," Dr Bryant. "They're different sizes and they have different shapes, behave differently, and need different cryoprotectants, so you can't cryopreserve them all in the same way." She pointed out that if the technology had been perfected, we would already be using it to solve real-world problems like the organ donor shortage. Many cryonics enthusiasts were inspired by Robert Ettinger, an American academic known as the "father of cryonics". His 1962 book The Prospect of Immortality, he proposed that death might one day be reversible. It is the same book that former marketing specialist Peter Tsolakides — now the founder of Southern Cryonics — read as a teenager. Two years ago, 35 founding members invested between $50,000 and $70,000 each to establish the facility. Today, Southern Cryonics has 32 active "subscribers" who pay an annual fee of $350, and have signed up for the suspension procedure costing about $170,000. Members sign an agreement that details the terms and conditions of their cryonic suspension. They are also encouraged to sign a religious objection to autopsy form, which requests that an autopsy is not carried out to "avoid destructive procedures and consequent delays" in the suspension process. Southern Cryonics is equipped to hold up to 40 bodies. "We have members ranging from about 15 years old up to about 95, and we range from doctors to bus drivers," Mr Tsolakides said. "Most of the people want to live very long lives, not necessarily be immortal. "They're also interested in seeing what the future is". There are no specific laws relating to cryonics in Australia. Legally, a cryogenically frozen body is considered the same as the remains of any other dead person, and Southern Cryonics is classified as a cemetery on its Greater Hume Council development application. There are operational risks to be considered by those who wish to be frozen. However, Mr Tsolakides said the facility was relatively protected. He said the cryogenic chambers relied on top-ups of liquid nitrogen that arrived periodically by truck from multiple suppliers. The chambers each hold a two-month supply of liquid nitrogen, and a maintenance person checks the levels a few times a week. The suspension agreement, which clients must sign, specifies that in events such as deregistration, insolvency, or cryonic suspension or revival becoming illegal, Southern Cryonics may cease the suspension, and "dispose of the patient's body by burial, cremation or transfer of the body to a responsible person." Health experts have previously raised ethical concerns about the cryonics sector, describing it as "Star Trek in play". However, Mr Tsolakides said he hoped that, given enough time, science would meet him halfway. "Let's say that it [cryonic revival] is possible but very unlikely — say it's 10 per cent possible," he said. "You got 10 per cent possibility of living an extremely long life versus being buried underground or burned. Which one would you choose?"
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cryoport's MVE Biological Solutions Introduces Next Generation Vapor Shippers
New SC vapor shipper series improves reliability through extended hold times and patented impact-absorbing and Vapor Shield Technology NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cryoport, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYRX), a global leader in temperature-controlled supply chain solutions for the life sciences, today announced the launch of MVE Biological Solutions' new vapor shippers, the SC 4/2V and SC 4/3V, offering medical and animal health professionals, laboratories, researchers, hospitals and clinics, pharmaceutical companies, and others dramatically improved safety and reliability for transporting and preserving sensitive biological materials at cryogenic temperatures. Built on MVE's legacy SC 4/2V and 4/3V vapor shipper platform, the next-generation SC 4/2V and 4/3V models have been redesigned utilizing innovative technologies to offer customers added protection during extended or challenging shipments. These four-liter vapor shippers are engineered to safely transport critical biological materials such as cells and tissues materials for cell therapies, biopharma, reproductive health materials, and animal health materials, including vaccines, while maintaining the materials' integrity throughout the journey. The new SC 4/2V and SC 4/3V vapor shipper models include several key advancements designed to enhance performance and reliability. Hold times for both next-generation models have been significantly extended to up to 19 days for the SC 4/2V (previously 13 days) and 26 days for the SC 4/3V (up from 21 days) which provides greater flexibility and security during transit delays. MVE's patented BEND DON'T BREAK™ technology features a specially designed top that flexes under stress, absorbing impact to reduce the risk of damage during rough handling that sometimes happens during shipping. "At MVE, we are committed to continuously refining our products to meet the evolving demands of our customers," said Mike Duich, President and CEO of MVE Biological Solutions. "The new SC 4/2V and 4/3V vapor shippers, built on our proven and trusted platform, are now strengthened with longer hold times, reduced refill frequency and lower operating costs. Additional features of our patent-pending technology also protect against vacuum degradation and absorbs shocks, with the ultimate goal of reducing damage-related failures and costly re-shipments. These enhancements reflect our broader mission to support scientific progress with robust, dependable, and cost-efficient cryogenic systems." Jerrell Shelton, CEO of Cryoport added, "these advances in the SC series of our patented vapor shippers are a part of our ongoing efforts to continually improve our products and services that support our advanced temperature-controlled supply chain solutions for the life sciences. By providing longer temperature hold times, better protection against sudden shock along with additional security features, we have further reduced the supply chain risks for highly valued temperature sensitive life sciences materials which helps with the advancement of the life sciences industry." Other upgraded features of the new vapor shippers include a newly integrated lid locking tab which helps prevent breakage, along with MVE's patent-pending Vapor Shield Technology, which minimizes the risk of vacuum loss caused by liquid nitrogen overfilling. These enhancements work together to provide greater reliability and "peace of mind" when transporting critical biological materials. For more information on the SC 4/2V and SC 4/3V vapor shippers, please visit About Cryoport, IncCryoport, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYRX), is a global leader in temperature-controlled supply chain solutions for the Life Sciences, with an emphasis on regenerative medicine. We support biopharmaceutical companies, contract manufacturers (CDMOs), contract research organizations (CROs), developers, and researchers with a comprehensive suite of services and products designed to minimize risk and maximize reliability across the temperature-controlled supply chain for the Life Sciences. Our integrated supply chain platform includes the Cryoportal® Logistics Management Platform, advanced temperature-controlled packaging, informatics, specialized biologistics, biostorage, bioservices, and cryogenic systems, which in varying combinations deliver end-to-end solutions that meet the rigorous demands of the life sciences. With innovation, regulatory compliance, and agility at our core, we are "Enabling the Future of Medicine™." Our corporate headquarters, located in Nashville, Tennessee, is complemented by global sites in the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. For more information, visit or follow via LinkedIn at or @cryoport on X, formerly known as Twitter at for live updates. Forward-Looking StatementsStatements in this press release which are not purely historical, including statements regarding Cryoport's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans or predictions of the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those related to MVE Biological Solutions' SC 4/2V and SC 4/3V shippers, including their potential impact on future revenue and revenue streams. It is important to note that Cryoport's actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with the effect of changing economic and geopolitical conditions, supply chain constraints, inflationary pressures, the effects of foreign currency fluctuations, trends in the products markets, variations in Cryoport's cash flow, market acceptance risks, and technical development risks. Cryoport's business could be affected by other factors discussed in Cryoport's SEC reports, including in the "Risk Factors" section of its most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, as well as in its subsequent filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and Cryoport cautions investors not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Cryoport disclaims any obligation, and does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Cryoport, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
New chip could be the breakthrough the quantum computing industry has been waiting for
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Scientists have developed a new type of computer chip that removes a major obstacle to practical quantum computers, making it possible for the first time to place millions of qubits and their control systems on the same device. The new control chip operates at cryogenic temperatures close to absolute zero (about minus 459.67 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 273.15 degrees Celsius) and, crucially, can be placed close to qubits without disrupting their quantum state. "This result has been more than a decade in the making, building up the know-how to design electronic systems that dissipate tiny amounts of power and operate near absolute zero," lead researcher David Reilly, professor at the University of Sydney Nano Institute and School of Physics, said in a statement. The scientists described the result as a "vital proof of principle" for integrating quantum and classical components in the same chip — a major step toward the kind of practical, scalable processors needed to make quantum computing a reality. The researchers published their findings June 25 in the journal Nature. Qubits are the quantum equivalent of binary bits found in today's classical computers. However, where a classical bit can represent either 0 or 1, a qubit can exist in a "superposition" of both states. This enables quantum computers to perform multiple calculations in parallel, making them capable of solving problems far beyond the reach of today's computers. Related: Quantum computers that are actually useful 1 step closer thanks to new silicon processor that could pack millions of qubits Spin qubits, a type of qubit that encodes information in the spin state of an electron, have piqued the interest of scientists because they can be built using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. This is the same process used to fabricate the chips found inside modern smartphones and PCs. In theory, this makes spin qubits much easier to produce at scale as it slips into normal manufacturing methods. Other quantum computers use different types of qubits, including superconducting, photonic or trapped-ion qubits. But unlike these other types, spin qubits can be made on a massive scale using existing equipment. However, spin qubits need to be kept at temperatures below 1 kelvin (just above absolute zero) to preserve "coherence." This is a qubit's ability to maintain superposition and entanglement over time, and what is needed to unlock the parallel processing power that makes quantum computing so promising. Spin qubits also need electronic equipment to measure and control their activity. "This will take us from the realm of quantum computers being fascinating laboratory machines to the stage where we can start discovering the real-world problems that these devices can solve for humanity," Reilly added. Integrating the electronics required to control and measure spin qubits has long posed a challenge, as even small amounts of heat or electrical interference can disrupt the qubits' fragile quantum state. But this new, custom CMOS chip is designed to operate in cryogenic environments and at ultra-low power levels, meaning it can be integrated onto a chip alongside qubits without introducing thermal or electrical noise that would otherwise interrupt coherence. In tests, the researchers ran single-gate and two-qubit gate operations with the control chip positioned less than 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) from the qubits. The control chip introduced no measurable electrical noise and caused no drop in accuracy, stability or coherence, the researchers said. Additionally, the control chip consumed just 10 microwatts (0.00001 watts) of power in total, with the analogue components — used to control the qubits with electrical pulses — using 20 nanowatts (0.00000002 watts) per megahertz. "This validates the hope that indeed qubits can be controlled at scale by integrating complex electronics at cryogenic temperatures," Reilly said. "This will take us from the realm of quantum computers being fascinating laboratory machines to the stage where we can start discovering the real-world problems that these devices can solve for humanity," he added. "We see many further diverse uses for this technology, spanning near-term sensing systems to the data centres of the future." RELATED STORIES —Quantum computing: What is quantum error correction (QEC) and why is it so important? —IBM will build monster 10,000-qubit quantum computer by 2029 after 'solving science' behind fault tolerance — the biggest bottleneck to scaling up —World's first silicon-based quantum computer is small enough to plug into a regular power socket The findings could prompt more researchers to explore the power of spin qubits. "Now that we have shown that milli-kelvin control does not degrade the performance of single- and two-qubit quantum gates, we expect many will follow our lead," study co-author Kushal Das, senior hardware engineer at Emergence Quantum and a researcher at the University of Sydney who designed the chip, said in the statement. "Fortunately for us, this is not so easy but requires years to build up the know-how and expertise to design low-noise cryogenic electronics that need only tiny amounts of power."
