Freeze drying, or lyophilisation, is a process that converts solutions or suspensions into solids for storage and distribution. It works by sublimating a material, changing it directly from a solid to a gas, below the triple point. Key components of a freeze dryer include a drying chamber, heating elements, a vapor condensing system, and a vacuum pump. Freeze drying has advantages like preserving heat-sensitive materials and proteins without denaturation. However, it is an expensive and slow process limited to specific valuable products.