Scientists Unveil Prospect of "Carbonite" Preservation: A Real-Life Look at Possible Cryogenic Freezing Akin to Han Solo in Star Wars
In the galaxy far, far away, Han Solo gets frozen in a block of something by the evil Darth Vader in 'The Empire Strikes Back'. But could this iconic Star Wars moment actually happen in real life? Let's dive into the science behind it all!
Enter Dr. Alex Baker, a chemist at the University of Warwick. According to him, humans might just be able to pull off the Han Solo freezing stunt with a real-life substitute, but the process would come with some surprises.
"You could make a wall hanging like Han Solo, but it would weigh about the same as two VW Golfs," Dr. Baker said. "So you'd need a very strong wall and picture hook."
So, what's this magical material that could possibly freeze a human? Gallium, that's what! This soft, silvery-white metal turns into solid form when cooled below 85.57°F (29.76°C). In fact, studies have shown that gallium can be used to store tiny organisms like nematode worms. These critters lose almost all their water and then are stored in liquid gallium that's cooled and solidified. After a week, they can be recovered just fine!
But, hold on there, cowboy. Taking a cue from the Star Wars scene, Dr. Baker suggests using a giant "ice cube mold" to freeze a person in gallium. Imagine a spectacle two meters by half a meter, big enough for a willing human participant – perhaps the world's biggest Star Wars fan – ready to risk their life for the privilege. Instead of being filled with water, this mold would be slowly filled with gallium to fully immerse the participant before cooling the temperature below the gallium freezing point.
Alas, that's where the comparisons stop between the Star Wars scenario and real life. As Dr. Baker explains, "Humans are far more complex than these simple worms. The dehydration process would likely end your life before the gallium freezing begins."
Moreover, questions arise about oxygen supply: "You would run out of oxygen quite quickly." The person inside the gallium would effectively drown in their own carbon dioxide in a metallic tomb. While gallium isn't as toxic as mercury, its chemical, physical, and toxicological properties haven't been thoroughly investigated.
So, while the world waits for safe human hibernation to become a reality, let's leave the gallium experiment to the brave (or foolhardy) Star Wars fans out there. For now, we humans stick to our warm, oxygen-filled lives. But who knows what the future holds? After all, you never know what you'll find in the vast galaxy of science!
Source & Enrichment:Gallium's properties: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180808-why-isnt-star-wars-carbonite-freezing-possibleCryonics: https://www.cryonicsmagazine.org/about-cryonics/Cryopreservation challenges: https://www.doesitmatter.info/does-it-matter/human-cryonics/cryonics-is-scientifically-viable/
- In the realm of science fiction, Dr. Alex Baker, a chemist at the University of Warwick, ponders if the freezing of a human in 'Star Wars' could potentially occur in real life using a material like gallium, a soft, silvery-white metal that transforms into solid form when cooled.
- According to Dr. Baker, the resulting human "wall hanging" would weigh approximately as much as two VW Golfs, requiring a sturdy support system.
- If a human could undergo this freezing process in gallium, it would be achieved through a giant "ice cube mold," filled with gallium instead of water, and cooled below the gallium freezing point.
- However, while nematode worms can be successfully dehydrated and frozen in liquid gallium, the complexities of the human body would likely render the dehydration process lethal before the gallium freezing could occur.
- This gallium experiment, while fascinating, might lead to rapid oxygen depletion and carbon dioxide drowning within a metallic tomb, raising concerns about the toxicity and safety of the process for humans.
