X-Message-Number: 16130 From: Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001 01:39:26 EDT Subject: LN2 Trip and Back this Summer? Ben Best wrote an assay some time ago regarding the potential of high pressure techniques for cryopreservation. I found it intriguing. His writing inspired some thoughts on the subject--an experiment, and the subject matter of a planned mini-series of posts. This is "Installment #1." While I will be referencing and quoting sections of his writings in subsequent posts, a prior reading of the assay is recommended. It is located on Ben's website www.benbest.com (http://benbest.com/cryonics/pressure.html). For those who have not already partaken, and may currently have the time and interest, other background sections to be recommended in subsequent installments include: http://benbest.com/cryonics/mobility.html http://benbest.com/cryonics/vitrify.html Only a thought experiment at this stage, but looking towards fruition (and extension) perhaps with the input from others on the Cryonet, here is the basic concept to date: Those to chill out at minus 320 degrees Fahrenheit for the afternoon will relocate to a very thick-walled steel container with a heavy breach-lock lid. Envision a high quality, stainless steel pressure cooker--without a handle. Now envision it as being about the size, shape and weight of a cannon ball (with its contoured lid in place). Its center "payload chamber" is about the size and dimensions of the interior of a tennis ball. All the volunteers (i.e., mostly draftees) are in their element inside the this snug vault-like chamber of their preferred environment--pure sea water. This capsule is manned by a small but brave aquatic crab, an equally ambitious and diminutive starfish, and a sea weed. Completely full (e.g., no air spaces whatsoever), the hatch is locked-down and the unit is submerged in a very large insulated Walmart cooler full of liquid nitrogen (LN2), which is situated in the center of a large meadow. The once Standard Temperature & Pressure Volume of fine young specimens and their aquatic surroundings quickly cool and solidify into one round glass-hard block of matter. Two hours later, the liquid nitrogen has completely evaporated from the closed cooler. An hour after that, the chamber's contents have nearly reached room (i.e., meadow) temperature. With a minimum of encouragement, the celebrities quickly exit and are shuttled back in their aquarium apartments to rest up and prepare for tomorrow's repeat matinee performance. Installment #2 out soon. Regards, David C. Johnson, Raleigh, NC Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=16130