Journal article
An explanation for why it is difficult to form slush nitrogen from liquid nitrogen used previously for this purpose
Cryobiology, Vol.66(1), pp.43-46
02/2013
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/108788
PMID: 23200929
Abstract
Slush nitrogen (SN) is used to avoid the Leidenfrost effect, which is problematic when using liquid nitrogen (LN). Slush nitrogen’s usefulness has been demonstrated by its requirement for the successful cryopreservation of insect embryos. To convert LN to SN, typically, the pressure above a Dewar of LN is reduced, using a vacuum pump in a sealed system until conversion occurs. It has been observed that LN from a fresh tank will readily produce SN; however, repeated use of the same LN results in the inability to form SN in subsequent trials. The current experiments were designed to identify the cause of this phenomenon. The hypothesis is that gaseous oxygen from the surrounding, ambient air condenses and mixes with the LN to form a mixture with a lower freezing point and; therefore, prevents the formation of SN. The hypothesis was tested and found to be true.
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Details
- Title
- An explanation for why it is difficult to form slush nitrogen from liquid nitrogen used previously for this purpose
- Creators
- Michael J Baker - Department of Biology, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA 99004, USATravis T Denton - Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA 99004, USACharles Herr - Department of Biology, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA 99004, USA
- Publication Details
- Cryobiology, Vol.66(1), pp.43-46
- Academic Unit
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Identifiers
- 99900547008301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article