StudioAntarctica: Embedding Art in a Geophysics Sea Ice Expedition

Leonardo ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabby O’Connor ◽  
Craig Stevens

Motivated by the potential for cross-disciplinary outcomes, an artist was embedded in a science expedition to the sea ice around Antarctica, as part of an art-science collaboration with marine physicist Craig Stevens. The scientist and the artist together focused on ice crystal formation. Most elements of the art process had three phases—before, during and after the science process. The environment largely dominated the progress and evolution of ideas. The results were multimaterial and multiscale and provided a way to engage a wide range of audiences while also making nondidactic connections around global climate—and producing art.

Author(s):  
I. Taylor ◽  
P. Ingram ◽  
J.R. Sommer

In studying quick-frozen single intact skeletal muscle fibers for structural and microchemical alterations that occur milliseconds, and fractions thereof, after electrical stimulation, we have developed a method to compare, directly, ice crystal formation in freeze-substituted thin sections adjacent to all, and beneath the last, freeze-dried cryosections. We have observed images in the cryosections that to our knowledge have not been published heretofore (Figs.1-4). The main features are that isolated, sometimes large regions of the sections appear hazy and have much less contrast than adjacent regions. Sometimes within the hazy regions there are smaller areas that appear crinkled and have much more contrast. We have also observed that while the hazy areas remain still, the regions of higher contrast visibly contract in the beam, often causing tears in the sections that are clearly not caused by ice crystals (Fig.3, arrows).


2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
KANAKO HASHIMOTO ◽  
TOKIFUSA KAWASHIMA ◽  
NOBUYUKI YOSHINO ◽  
TAKAAKI SHIRAI ◽  
AKIHIDE TAKIGUCHI

1972 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmut Plattner ◽  
Walter M. Fischer ◽  
Werner W. Schmitt ◽  
Luis Bachmann

The technique of spray-freeze etching was applied to unicellular organisms. The superior freezing rates obtainable with this method gave excellent cryofixation on Chlorella, Euglena, and spermatozoa without the use of antifreeze agents, and cell damage due to ice crystal formation was never observed. In many instances the resultant morphology differed significantly from that obtained from glycerol-treated, freeze-etched cells. Furthermore, viability studies of spray-frozen Chlorella compared favorably with cells frozen by other methods.


Author(s):  
LUCY RU-SIU YIN

The ultimate aim of ultrastructural fixation of biological specimen is to preserve all the compartments in their native state. Cryofixation is a superior method than conventional chemical fixation in reaching this goal. However, ice crystal formation during cryofixation often damages the structures. High pressure (2100 bar) freezing provides a way to alter freezing properties while cool down the specimen at a relatively high rate, minimizing the ice crystal formation. Nearly vitrified samples(up to 500 um) have been obtained with this method. Samples in suspension tend to get lost during high pressure freezing. The low percentage (∼30%) of successfully cryofixed specimens can be improved if the sample completely fills the cavity of the metal specimen carriers in which the specimen is frozen. Various methods to overcome sample loss are reported in this study.


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