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


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