Dielectric spectrum of cryoprotective solution at low temperature

Abstract

The dielectric properties of physiological saline and cryoprotective solution (ternary solution) have been measured as a function of temperature (-80-0 degrees C) and frequency (1-10 kHz). It is experimentally found that, when ternary solution is slowly frozen, anomalous high permittivity occurs and then changes rapidly in a certain temperature range. The drift and diffusion of zwitterions lead to the high permittivity when the ternary solution is slowly frozen. The relaxation of zwitterions, Maxwell-Wagner, and H/sub 2/O molecules contributes to the dielectric spectrum. A new polarized model has been presented and successfully used to explain the dielectric properties of the samples. The relationship between the eutectic and the temperature at which tan delta reaches its maximum value in the dielectric temperature spectrum may find application in cryobiology, since crystallization of liquid is one of the main reasons of cell death in the process of being slowly frozen.<>