What does Cryonics have to do with Physics?
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Although the definition of cryonics includes the word freezing, many companies claim that they do not freeze people but instead vitrify them. Now instead of freezing the body in liquid nitrogen, vitrification is now the preferred method.
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What is vitrification?
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-"To change or make into glass or a glassy substance, especially through heat fusion" (Dictionary)
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- Vitrification is not freezing.
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- Vitrification involves no ice and replaces about sixty percent of the water inside cells with protective chemicals.
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- It is able to prevent freezing during deep cooling
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- Instead of freezing molecules, vitrification just slows the molecules down until they stop moving.
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Why use vitrification
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-"Freezing biological materials to the super-low temperature of liquid nitrogen (-320 deg. F.) for future reanimation has been used for decades. However, this process has involved the formation of ice crystals that are damaging to tissues. Recent breakthroughs in research have made possible the vitrification of human organs, in which tissues become a glass-like solid, without the formation of ice crystals. The result is indefinite preservation at near liquid nitrogen temperatures with greatly reduced tissue damage" (Timeship).
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- The whole point of cryogenics is to be able to preserve people so that when they are revived they may be able to be cured of whatever killed them. This process would be pointless if irreparable damages were caused by the freezing process. Vitrification allows a person to be revived with no harm done to their tissues and cells.
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-Freezing damage is caused by the formation of ice crystals. Vitrification has no crystal formation and allows the water to harden like glass.
"Another kidney with vitrification solution inside it is preserved without freezing at the same temperature of -140°C" (Alcor).
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How do they know vitrification work?
- It has been found that some amphibians are able to survive with much of their body water as ice because of cryoprotectants. The cryoprotectants cause vitrification. Some amphibians used glycerol (antifreeze) in order to reduce ice formation, lower freezing point, and harden water like glass.
- Tests done on arctic beetles have also shown that after being frozen they are still able to function the same as before they were frozen, showing that neurological tissue can recover after vitrification.
(www.flamingtext.com)
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