Antifreeze
Antifreeze
Antifreeze (pronounced: an-tee-freez) is a liquid typically used in vehicles to prevent freezing and overheating. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as HVAC systems and industrial processes.
Etymology
The term "antifreeze" is derived from its primary function, which is to prevent freezing. The prefix "anti-" means against, and "freeze" refers to the process of becoming hardened or solid, especially by cold temperatures.
Usage
Antifreeze is commonly used in the cooling systems of internal combustion engines. It works by lowering the freezing point and raising the boiling point of the engine's coolant, which allows the engine to operate within a suitable temperature range regardless of the external conditions.
In the medical field, antifreeze proteins are studied for their potential use in organ preservation and other applications. These proteins, found in certain types of fish and insects, have the ability to inhibit the formation of ice crystals, which can cause damage to cells and tissues.
Related Terms
- Coolant: A fluid that absorbs heat and reduces or regulates the temperature of a system.
- Antifreeze protein: A class of polypeptides produced by certain vertebrates, plants, fungi, and bacteria that permit their survival in subzero environments.
- Propylene glycol: A synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water and is used as a component of antifreeze and brake fluid.
- Ethylene glycol: A colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting synthetic liquid that is used primarily as a raw material in the manufacture of polyester fibers and fabric industry, and polyethylene terephthalate resins (PET) used in bottling.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antifreeze
- Wikipedia's article - Antifreeze
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski