X-Message-Number: 7519
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 1997 20:29:05 -0600 (CST)
From: Ray Sheely <>
Subject: Supercool

NOTE:  This is my first attempt at posting on CryoNet.  If my message is
somehow inappropriate, please feel free to politely say so.  Several years
ago I sent off for information from Alcor, my appreciation for the
response.  I still have the information on file.  I do intend to
participate when financial concerns abate.  I recently subscribed to the
list, and have found the intelligent conversation stimulating.

I read the faq, and did not find any reference to some questions I have:

Everyone knows water can be kept in a liquid state when its temperature is
lowered below 0 degrees C by continually agitating it (supercooling).  If
memory serves correctly, the supercooled water will instantly freeze once
the agitation has ceased (ala freezing rain).  Crystalization, presumably,
is minimal due to the rapid solidification of the water.

IF the aforementioned agitation could be effectively propagated sonically,
then could this process be applied in such a way to decrease "freezing"
damage when freezing organic tissue?  Would there be an optimal frequency
of sound to use, or would different tissues have differing optimal
frequencies?  Would tissue damage occur after or before freezing due to
the sound itself?  (Does cryogenically suspended tissue take damage from
"normal" sounds even now?  Or seismic activity?)  Or am I incorrect in
assuming that supercooling can be achieved sonically?  Has anyone tried
experiments towards this end, and how expensive would it be to try it?


Thank you for your thoughtful replies in advance.

Ray E. Sheely



PS:  Is the Alcor phoenix symbol (I don't know if it is still used)
copyrighted?


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