Can thermal expansion differences between cryopreserved tissue and cryoprotective agents alone cause cracking?

One of the limiting factors in large-scale cryopreservation is the formation of fractures. The prevalence of cracking in cryopreserved bulky tissues is frequently associated with temperature gradients, which lead to non-uniform thermal contraction of the tissue. With new cryoprotectants available, it may be possible to reduce temperature gradients to much lower levels, in which case other contributions to mechanical stress development and cracking will become more significant. One potential contributor to such stress is the difference in thermal expansion between tissue and the cryoprotectant. The current study addresses the role of thermal expansion mismatch by drawing upon recently obtained experimental data and engineering models for the development of thermal stresses. This question is addressed for the case of cryopreservation via vitrification (glass formation), for which crystal formation is avoided, and tissues and solutions gradually transition from fluid-like to solid-like response, as the viscosity increases with decreasing temperature.