The experiment was to preserve medically induced coma ponies in these pods and fill them up with this solution, their vitals would be monitored of course while in there. In theory, this method would help heal ponies no matter how critical their condition was. And the experiment is working as the "volunteers" look almost completely normal again and vitals going on as normal. In the pods in view, we got Thrust (My MLP version is genderbent), a random pony, Thundercracker, Slipstream, and a pony no one knew, Dr. Powell.
No one is dead, although they're not conscious either. The experiment is being ran by a mad scientist who answers by Shockwave.