Why isn't my bottle of Cell Lysis Buffer (10X) #9803 frozen?

Occasionally, Cell Lysis Buffer (10X) #9803 stored at -20C may not appear frozen, which is not a reason for concern. This phenomenon is known as nucleation, or the initial formation of ice from a liquid solution. Nucleation typically occurs at nucleation sites such as surfaces contacting the liquid or vapor (i.e. tiny scratches on the inside of the bottle), suspended particles, or small bubbles. A minimal amount of these sites often keeps the buffer liquid at -20C. It is worth mentioning that hitting one of the liquid tubes against a hard surface may cause it to instantaneously freeze.

Last updated: April 16, 2024