Yes, you can use isopentane-dry ice slurry, or dry ice and ethanol.

Yes, Isopentane is very volatile and very, very flammable.

No, for heaven's sake don't put it in your -80 freezer.  The dry ice will chill it down just fine.

Jerry Ricks
Research Scientist
University of Washington
Department of Pathology

> Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 11:59:59 -0400
> From: NHeath@Lifespan.org
> To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: [Histonet] What to do when there is no liquid nitrogen :p
> 
> Hi Everyone,
>  
> Does anyone have alternate methods for snap freezing muscle when there
> is no liquid nitrogen?? I've been told to make a slurry with isopentane
> & dry ice or to put isopentane in a plastic cup (?) and put into the
> minus 70* freezer till it gets cold. Also how volatile / dangerous is
> isopentane to work with??? Other than a flammable cabinet are there any
> other things I need to know about isopentane???
>  
> Thanks,
> Nancy
>  
>  
>  
>  
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