Scientists create bizarre cosmic ice on Earth

A new Phase of Water: Unveiling Plastic Ice VII

Water, the essence of life, exists in three familiar states: ice, liquid, and steam. But scientists have discovered a interesting array of exotic water phases that exist under extreme conditions found on distant planets and moons. Now, for the first time, researchers have observed one of these remarkable phases: Plastic Ice VII.

“Plastic phases are hybrid states that blend properties of both solids and liquids. in plastic ice, the water molecules form a rigid cubic lattice, as in ice VII, but exhibit picosecond rotational motion reminiscent of liquid water,” explains Livia Eleonora Bove, research director at the French National Center for Scientific Research CNRS and associate professor at La Sapienza University in Rome.

First Experimental Observation

The existence of plastic ice VII was initially predicted over 15 years ago through computer simulations. This groundbreaking finding was made possible by advanced technology at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in France. researchers recreated the intensely high temperatures and pressures needed to form Plastic Ice VII using specialized equipment and cutting-edge neutron spectrometers.

quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering (QENS) was instrumental in probing the structure and dynamics of water molecules within this unique phase, leading to its “first experimental observation.”

Unveiling the Rotation Mystery

Analysis of the neutron scattering data revealed that the movement of molecules in plastic ice VII is more complex than initially predicted by computer simulations.

“The QENS measurements suggested a different molecular rotation mechanism for plastic ice VII than the free rotor behavior initially expected,” said Maria Rescigno, PhD student at Sapienza University and lead author of the study.

Further computer simulations,combined with a statistical method called Markov chain analysis,shed light on the behavior of water molecules in plastic ice VII. Instead of rotating freely, the simulations revealed a specific four-fold rotational pattern.

A Glimpse into Icy Worlds

this exotic ice could exist within the icy celestial bodies of our solar system, such as moons like Ganimedes and Callisto, and planets like Uranus and Neptune. The extreme heat and pressure within these worlds could allow for the formation of plastic ice and potentially make up a ample part of their interiors.

Understanding these exotic phases could provide valuable insights into the formation, evolution, and unique processes that shape these celestial bodies.

Next Steps and Further Research

Scientists are now delving into the transition between regular Ice VII and Plastic Ice VII. Unraveling this transition could offer clues about another elusive exotic phase: superionic water.

“The continuous transition scenario is very intriguing as it hints that the plastic phase could be the precursor of the elusive superionic phase – another hybrid exotic phase of water predicted at even higher temperatures and pressures, were hydrogen can diffuse freely through the oxygen crystalline structure.” explains Bove.

These findings, recently published in Nature, open up exciting new avenues of research into the diverse and fascinating world of water under extreme conditions.

What specific technological advancements allowed for teh frist experimental observation of Plastic ice VII?

Plumbing the Depths of Exotic Water: An Interview wiht Dr. Livia Bové on Plastic Ice VII

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have observed a new phase state of water, Plastic Ice VII, shedding light on the behavior of water under extreme conditions. We sat down with Dr.Livia Bové,research director at the French National Center for Scientific Research CNRS and associate professor at La Sapienza University in Rome,to discuss this interesting progress.

Understanding Plastic Ice VII

Archyde: Dr. Bové, could you start by explaining what Plastic Ice VII is and how it’s different from the familiar ice phases we know?

Dr. Livia Bové: Plastic phases are a unique class of materials that exhibit a blend of solid and liquid properties. In the case of Plastic Ice VII,water molecules form a rigid crystal structure,like in regular Ice VII,but under intense pressure and heat,they begin to rotate rapidly,similar to liquid water. This rapid rotation is what gives Plastic Ice VII its ‘plastic’ quality.

First Experimental Observation

Archyde: This is the first time Plastic Ice VII has been experimentally observed.Can you tell us about the technology behind this discovery?

Dr. Livia Bové: Indeed, it is. The team at the Institut Laue-Langevin in France recreated the extreme conditions needed to form Plastic Ice VII using specialized equipment and advanced neutron spectrometers. The technique used,Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering,allowed us to probe the structure and dynamics of the water molecules,leading to this exciting first observation.

Unveiling the Mechanism of Rotation

Archyde: Initial predictions suggested a ‘free rotor’ behavior for Plastic Ice VII. What did your analysis reveal rather?

Dr. Livia Bové: Our initial QENS measurements indicated a more complex molecular rotation mechanism than expected. Further analysis, combined with advanced simulation methods, revealed a specific four-fold rotational pattern. This was an intriguing finding as it challenged our initial assumptions about the nature of water molecules under these extreme conditions.

A Glimpse into Icy Worlds

Archyde: Given the conditions where Plastic Ice VII forms, do you think it could exist in the icy bodies of our solar system?

Dr. Livia Bové: Absolutely. Planets like Uranus and Neptune, and moons like Ganimedes and Callisto, have conditions that could allow for the formation of Plastic Ice and perhaps even other exotic phases of water. Understanding these phases could provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of these celestial bodies.

Looking Ahead

Archyde: What are the next steps in this research?

Dr. Livia Bové: We’re now focusing on the transition between regular Ice VII and Plastic Ice VII. Understanding this transition could provide clues about another elusive exotic phase of water – superionic water. This is an exciting avenue of research that promises to reveal more about the diverse and fascinating world of water under extreme conditions.

Archyde: Thank you,Dr. Bové, for sharing your insights on this fascinating discovery.