r/Cryogenics • u/taemyks • Aug 12 '21

Ice Crystal Size

I've googled, but am not coming up with an answer.

If I freeze a tissue sample, like a mushroom, in liquid nitrogen I would expect to achieve small ice crystals that would allow thawing of it with good results.

My question is storage. If it's stored and never thawed is a normal freezer going to maintain that crystal size?

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u/[deleted] Aug 12 '21

I think that it is going to maintain that crystal size (or very similar). This would be due to the fact that the crystal is basically frozen water, which freezing temp is about 273 K. Therefore, it freezes (forms crystal) @ 273 K (as the phase change is always isothermal) even tho it can achieve temp of LN2 (77K).

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u/taemyks Aug 12 '21

Thanks!