X-Message-Number: 6662 From: Date: Thu, 01 Aug 96 10:51:55 +1000 Subject: Ultrasonics to reduce crystallization SCI.CRYONICS One of the problems of cryonics is the damage caused by crystallization of water in the cells of the body being frozen. Has anyone investigated ultrasonics as a method of reducing this crystallization? Ultrasonics at appropriate frequencies can cause small-scale vibrations within the molecules which could disrupt much of the crystal formation, and reduce the damage caused by freezing. Although ultrasonics introduces a slight heating effect to the body being frozen, this might be useful as a way to slow the freezing process. My thoughts are that ultrasonics could not only reduce the crystallization, but allow faster freezing (because of reduced crystalline formation), and thereby (perhaps) reduce the costs of the freezing process. Perhaps ultrasonics might be an avenue of exploration for the proposed Prometheus project. Anyone care to comment? Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=6662