IGEM:IMPERIAL/2009/M2/Assays/2.4

Sodium acetate crystalisation is an exothermic reaction (hence the use of sodium acetate in hand warmers). If we want exothermic crystalisation to flip the kill switch, we need to model the heat that is released upon crystalisation.

Dry Lab Protocol:

1) To calculate the latent heat of crystalisation, use the Q = mcΔT equation. Think about variables such as size of pill and concentration of the supersaturated sodium acetate solution.

Wet Lab Protocol:

1) Confirm dry lab predictions with testing. This will require a thermometer with a small probe that we can insert into the supersaturated solution as it crystalises.