• Name: Critical Point Dryer
• Tool No.: MNCF 051
• Make : Quroum Technologies

The K850 Critical Point Dryer (see Figure 1-1) is designed for use with CO2 having first replaced any water in the specimen by a series of dehydration, often in the same fluid such as acetone or ethanol, which will also be the intermediate fluid.

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.