A British chemist has explored whether the iconic carbonite freezing of Han Solo in Star Wars could be recreated using real-world materials. The concept, while still largely science fiction, may not be entirely out of reach—at least in theory.
Published to mark Star Wars Day, the experiment raises questions about the limits of human cryopreservation and whether current scientific methods can replicate what remains a cinematic fantasy.
Why Gallium Stands Out Among Real-World Metals
According to the Daily Mail, Dr Alex Baker, a chemist at the University of Warwick, points to gallium as a plausible candidate for mimicking the visual effects of carbonite. Gallium is a metal that remains liquid at room temperature but solidifies just below 30°C. Researchers have already used it to store nematode worms in a dormant state, known as anhydrobiosis, by dehydrating them before cooling.
Dr Baker explained that a human-sized mould—roughly two metres in length—could technically be filled with gallium to encase a person, producing a similar aesthetic result to the Star Wars scene. However, he added that the structure would weigh as much as two Volkswagen Golfs, requiring extreme support to remain stable.
Biological Barriers to Human Freezing
While the concept is scientifically intriguing, the biological challenges are substantial. According to Dr Baker, humans cannot enter anhydrobiosis as some organisms do, and any attempt to remove cellular water or lower body temperature uniformly would be fatal. “You wouldn’t be able to do this to a human without ending their life”, he said.
Current cryogens like liquid nitrogen or solid carbon dioxide are used to freeze small biological samples, such as IVF embryos, but scaling these methods up to entire human bodies is not viable. The internal organs would not freeze uniformly, and the body would quickly succumb to oxygen deprivation or carbon dioxide buildup.
Health Risks and Unknowns of Gallium Use
Beyond the physical impracticalities, gallium poses chemical concerns. According to data cited by the Daily Mail, the metal is not considered highly toxic, but its effects on human tissue are not fully understood. Chemical supplier Sigma-Aldrich warns that exposure may lead to nausea, coughing, or dermatitis.
Dr Baker emphasised that gallium’s interaction with complex biological systems like the human body remains largely untested. Even though the concept resonates with Star Wars fans, freezing a human in gallium is not only scientifically unfeasible, it would almost certainly be lethal.
Although advances in sleep science and metabolic suspension continue, true suspended animation remains beyond reach. According to Dr Baker, “Right now, you’re more likely to build a working lightsaber than freeze someone like Han Solo”.