Location: Biosciences Room 176

Critical point drying is an established method of dehydrating biological tissue prior to examination in the Scanning Electron Microscope.

Critical Point Drying is so named as it includes, as part of its process, the occurrence known as the continuity of state for which there is no apparent difference between the liquid and gas state of a medium, the surface tension between this interface reducing to zero. This occurs at a specific temperature and pressure with resulting density, and is known as the Critical Point. This condition of zero surface tension can be used to dry Biological Specimens, avoiding the damaging effects of surface tension.

Location: Biosciences Room 176