Chemical & Engineering News Digital Edition ... - IMM@BUCT

minimize that risk, Smithsonian scientists
used a metal screen to reinforce the part of
the squid attached to the main restraining
bracket and broad transparent straps to
better distribute tension on the tentacles,
says Michael Vecchione, a zoologist and
Sant Ocean Hall curator. “The edges of the
straps could still cut into the tissue,” he
admits. To avoid these challenges, “ideally,
you’d want a storage fluid that has the same
density as seawater,” he comments.
IN ADDITION, because Novec has a high
vapor pressure and boils at a lower temperature
than ethanol, museum staff had to
take extra precautions to minimize evaporation,
including using specially designed
jars that could keep an extra-tight seal on
the specimen and lighting that does not
give off a lot of heat, Musteen says.
“Will we ever abandon alcohol entirely?”
Musteen asks. “No, mostly because we
don’t have 200 years to test new things
out.” For all the flaws of the established
technology, museum experts know that
formalin and ethanol keep specimens preserved
for the long haul, Musteen says. For
“Will we ever abandon alcohol entirely?
No, mostly because we don’t have
200 years to test new things out.”
that reason, the Smithsonian doesn’t currently
store one-of-a-kind or other highly
valuable specimens in Novec. “People
know that if they put a specimen into formalin
or ethanol it’ll still be there” for years
to come, Spatola says.
Despite the challenges that come with
using Novec, Simmons emphasizes that
it offers some improvements over established
fluids. For one thing, he notes, it remains
clear while preserving a specimen’s
color. And Novec’s nonflammability is a
significant plus, he says.
Tests on the giant squid and Novec continue,
even while the animal is on display.
Every organization that donated specimens
for the new exhibition had the same
request: “They wanted us to get lots of data
on Novec fluid,” Musteen says. “They are
looking for alternatives to alcohol, just like
we are.” Specially designed needle ports
in the squid’s display case permit periodic
sampling of the squid’s tissue and the surrounding
fluid. The sampling is “similar
to the sort of biopsy a person might get to
test for cancer,” Musteen explains. Smithsonian
experts will test the Novec fluid to
see whether any compounds are leaching
from the squid and examine the squid’s
tissue under the microscope to check for
changes to cellular structure.
“I’m excited to see the Smithsonian’s
staff tackle fundamental issues in fluid
preservation,” Simmons says, but he cautions
that it will take a long time to build
a reliable knowledge base about Novec or
any new fluid that might come along. “This
is very much an experiment,” Vecchione
says. “We’re very interested in seeing how
it will all turn out.” ■
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WWW.CEN-ONLINE.ORG 29 NOVEMBER 3, 2008