Source: NewsX
Context: Scientists have experimentally confirmed the existence of Plastic Ice VII, an exotic phase of water with hybrid solid-liquid properties.
About Plastic Ice VII:
- What is Plastic Ice VII?
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- A unique phase of water where molecules remain in a rigid crystalline structure while retaining rotational motion.
- Originally predicted in 2008, but experimentally confirmed in 2025.
- How does it form?
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- Extreme Conditions: Forms under 450-600K (177-327°C) temperature and 0.1-6 GPa pressure (60,000 times atmospheric pressure).
- Lab Confirmation: Verified through Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering (QENS) at ILL, France.
- Key Characteristics:
- Applications & Significance:
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- Planetary Science: Explains water’s behavior inside icy moons (Ganymede, Callisto, Titan) and exoplanets.
- Extreme Environment Research: Helps in understanding high-pressure physics and material science.
- Space Exploration: Improves knowledge of ice phases in extreme planetary conditions, aiding in future astrobiology studies.
- Hydrogen Storage & Energy Research: May have potential technological applications in material sciences.
