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Transfusion of whole blood or its components (platelets [PLTs], red blood cells [RBCs], plasma) at controlled ratios can significantly mitigate coagulopathies and improve survival in trauma. 1 However, donated PLTs normally have a shelf life of approximately 5 days at room temperature, which poses substantial logistic challenges in availability and timely transfusion. Research is currently ongoing to enhance PLT shelf life and availability via utilization of pathogen reduction technologies as well as reduced-temperature storage (cooling, lyophilization, etc.). In parallel, other alternatives to donor-derived PLTs are being investigated, including bioreactor-based in vitro production of PLTs from progenitor or stem cells2 as well as manufacturing of biosynthetic or artificial PLTs. 3 Here we briefly review the design approaches of ‘artificial PLTs’ and our contribution to this exciting area of transfusion medicine.