Cryopreservation

Cell biology

Engineering

Biology

Materials science

Fishery

Cryoprotectant

Recrystallization (geology)

Ice crystals

Biochemistry

Earth science

Geology

Paleontology

Biochemical engineering

Physics

Nanotechnology

Embryo

Ice formation

Environmental science

Trehalose

Astrobiology

Chemistry

Meteorology

Atmospheric sciences

Advanced Science

Cryopreservation technology has developed into a fundamental and important supporting method for biomedical applications such as cell‐based therapeutics, tissue engineering, assisted reproduction, and vaccine storage. The formation, growth, and recrystallization of ice crystals are the major limitations in cell/tissue/organ cryopreservation, and cause fatal cryoinjury to cryopreserved biological samples. Flourishing anti‐icing materials and strategies can effectively regulate and suppress ice crystals, thus reducing ice damage and promoting cryopreservation efficiency. This review first describes the basic ice cryodamage mechanisms in the cryopreservation process. The recent development of chemical ice‐inhibition molecules, including cryoprotectant, antifreeze protein, synthetic polymer, nanomaterial, and hydrogel, and their applications in cryopreservation are summarized. The advanced engineering strategies, including trehalose delivery, cell encapsulation, and bioinspired structure design for ice inhibition, are further discussed. Furthermore, external physical field technologies used for inhibiting ice crystals in both the cooling and thawing processes are systematically reviewed. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives in the field of ice inhibition for high‐efficiency cryopreservation are proposed.

Ice Inhibition for Cryopreservation: Materials, Strategies, and Challenges