X-Message-Number: 6249 Date: 23 May 96 20:32:04 EDT From: Paul Wakfer <> Subject: SCI.CRYONICS Cryogenics Article In order to keep abreast with all areas related to the theory and applications of cryogenics, I have being subscribing to "Cold Facts" the newsletter of the Cryogenic Society of America, published quarterly. The lead article of the Spring 1996 issue is entitled "Cryotreatment: Panacea or Black Magic?". After this title and several statements such as: "The tough questions: Does it work? How?"; "There is a lot of material available extolling the effects of cryogenic treatment on a whole range of materials, from tool steel to nylon stockings. Testimonials abound. Yet there is also a scepticism [sic] and even a feeling that the whole thing is 'black magic'."; and "Popular Science asks, 'If cryogenic treatment is so good - and relatively cheap - why isn't it universally applied?'. The magazine answered, 'For one thing, it doesn't always work; and when it will work it is not always predictable'.", the article then contains the following paragraph which I think will be both instructive and amusing to cryonics readers. "We watched the videotape of the segment of 'The Next Step', on the Discovery Channel, that brought 300x Below, Inc. [a company specializing in the cryogenic treatment of materials] to national attention. The program began on shaky ground (at least to this writer who is dedicated to changing the public equation of cryogenics with cryonics which cheapens us and puts us 'on the fringe' in the minds of the uninformed), by telling the audience that cryogenics is the science of low temperature phenomena. "One application you're probably familiar with is people who have their bodies frozen after they've passed away, in the hopes of being brought back to life in the future." Starting with that wrong turn, the program hosts then did explain that cryogenics also (!) applies to the more practical freezing of objects." Even more instructive and amusing for its relevance to cryonics are the following excerpts from a summary of a talk given by Charles Wiberg, Technical Advisor of American Cryogenics, Inc. which was included in the "Cold Facts" article. Most readers will recognize how similar this sounds to much what has been said and written by cryonics leaders. "The use of deep cryogenics in the treatment of materials is a science seeking legitimacy. Over the past 10 to 15 years, many in the field have been freezing anything from pantyhose to golf balls claiming increased wear properties. Unfortunately, these applications have taken away from the practical usefulness of this technology, especially in the perishable tool market. Little scientific research exists that confirms why improvements occur. In fact, the only significant piece of wear study research has been done by Dr. Randall Barron. His study is widely cited by cryogenists [sic] across the country. His results are often mis-applied, and conclusions are drawn from his results that are really 'leaps of faith' rather than scientific facts. "In order to improve our legitimacy and image as providers of a beneficial service, it is important to be very factual in representing the potential benefits of deep cryogenic treatment. First, and maybe most important is that no all-inclusive claims can be made regarding how a certain material will respond to deep cryogenic treatment. In many instances, the preconditions, or how the material was heat treated before it is received for cryotreatment, will dictate the amount of improvement that occurs, if any. --- "Another issue that those in the field need to address is the generation of good scientific research, based on results. --- Dr. Barron's study should be replicated. This would strengthen its legitimacy. --- Scientists in the areas -- need to study the phenomena that occur at deep cryogenics temperatures in order to allow us to fully understand what exactly happens to the material. "The actual process of deep cryogenics treatment is not complex. However, the process of customer education is. Therefore, it is difficult for a person to really understand and explain deep cryo processing without some background ---. "The deep cryogenic treatment of materials as a service and a science is in its infancy. There is great promise that it has a vital place in the material improvement field. However, much research and study needs to be done before hard and fast claims can be made. Each potential application has to be carefully evaluated with the customer so that the best results are achieved. It is our responsibility to educate our clients with factual information on what is known about cryogenic processing, and what has yet to be discovered." Sound familiar? -- Paul -- CryoSpan, Inc. -- for the safest cryogenic storage of biological material 1313 N Market St. Suite 3410 NE Hercules Plaza Wilmington, DE 19801-1151 Email: Voice/Fax:909-481-4433 Pager:800-805-2870 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=6249