Cryogenic is an adjective that pertains to or describes the branch of physics and technology concerned with the production and behavior of materials at extremely low temperatures. It deals with substances and processes that operate at or near temperatures below -150°C (-238°F), often involving the use of special techniques, equipment, and materials.
In cryogenic applications, substances are exposed to extremely cold temperatures in order to achieve desired effects like slowing down chemical reactions, preserving biological materials, or enabling unique physical properties of materials at such low temperatures. Cryogenics finds extensive use in various fields and industries including medicine, space exploration, physics research, and engineering.
The term "cryogenic" often refers to the techniques and processes used to produce and store cryogenic materials, such as liquefied gases like nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and helium. These gases, when cooled to their boiling points, turn into liquids with highly valuable properties and applications, such as superconductivity or cryopreservation.
Furthermore, cryogenic techniques involve the use of specialized cryogenic fluids, refrigeration systems, and insulation materials to attain and maintain low temperatures. Cryogenic technology is vital for many scientific and industrial applications, including medical procedures like cryosurgery, the production and preservation of frozen food, and the storage and transport of biological samples or rocket propellant.
