| critical point drying | <procedure> A method for preparing specimens for the scanning electron microscope that avoids the problems of shrinkage caused by normal drying procedures. Water in the specimen is replaced by an intermediate fluid, for example liquid carbon dioxide, avoiding setting up a liquid/gas interface and then the second fluid is allowed to vaporise by raising the temperature above the critical point, the temperature at which the liquid state no longer occurs. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| freeze-drying | <technique> Method commonly adopted to produce a dry and stable form of biological material that has not been seriously denatured. By freezing the specimen, often with liquid nitrogen and then subliming water from the specimen under vacuum, proteins are left in reasonably native form and can usually be rehydrated to an active state. Since the freeze dried material will store without refrigeration for long periods, it is a convenient method for holding back up or reference material or for the distribution of antibiotics, vaccines etc. Synonym: lyophilization. (18 Sep 2002) |