HbS polmerization kinetics. Schmatic of kinetic progress curves after transferring a completely deoxygenated HbS solution from 0°C, where it is a liquid solution, to room temperature where fibers form to produce a viscous gel. The delay times are identical when the kinetics are monitored by birefringence, calorimetry, turbidity/light scattering, or nuclear magnetic resonance.(Eaton et al., 1976b; Hofrichter et al., 1974) A reduction in HbS concentration by 10% or in temperature by 5°C increases the delay time by an order of magnitude.