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Measuring the densities of aqueous glasses at cryogenic temperatures

Cornell Affiliated Author(s)

Author

C. Shen
E.F. Julius
T.J. Tyree
R. Dan
D.W. Moreau
R. Thorne

Abstract

We demonstrate a method for determining the vitreous phase cryogenic temperature densities of aqueous mixtures, and other samples that require rapid cooling, to prepare the desired cryogenic temperature phase. Microliter to picoliter size drops are cooled by projection into a liquid nitrogen-argon (N2-Ar) mixture. The cryogenic temperature phase of the drop is evaluated using a visual assay that correlates with X-ray diffraction measurements. The density of the liquid N2-Ar mixture is adjusted by adding N2 or Ar until the drop becomes neutrally buoyant. The density of this mixture and thus of the drop is determined using a test mass and Archimedes principle. With appropriate care in drop preparation, management of gas above the liquid cryogen mixture to minimize icing, and regular mixing of the cryogenic mixture to prevent density stratification and phase separation, densities accurate to <0.5% of drops as small as 50 pL can readily be determined. Measurements on aqueous cryoprotectant mixtures provide insight into cryoprotectant action, and provide quantitative data to facilitate thermal contraction matching in biological cryopreservation. © 2017 Journal of Visualized Experiments.

Date Published

Journal

Journal of Visualized Experiments

Volume

2017

Issue

124

URL

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85025172413&doi=10.3791%2f55761&partnerID=40&md5=e904982756d4661ef62cdc150ce8437f

DOI

10.3791/55761

Group (Lab)

Robert Thorne Group

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