Scientists recently discovered a new phase of ice, called XXI, that can form at room temperature under extreme pressure. This exciting finding is detailed in a paper published in Nature Materials. Ice XXI is the twenty-first form of ice identified so far, joining a unique group of structures, including hexagonal and cubic ice, seen on planets like Neptune and Uranus.
The existence of XXI highlights just how complex and fascinating water’s solid state is. Understanding these various ice phases could even shed light on how alien moons acquire their ice forms.
This research was a joint effort among scientists from the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science and top research facilities in Europe, including the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser Facility and the German Electron Synchrotron. Their work shows that ice XXI forms when water is compressed quickly to extreme levels—roughly 20,000 times the pressure we feel in the atmosphere—at room temperature.
Most of the known ice types typically form at very high or low temperatures. Geun Woo Lee, one of the researchers, explained that rapid compression keeps water in a liquid state even under intense pressure, allowing it to transition into this unusual form of ice rather than a more common structure like ice VI, which may be found inside moons like Titan.
To achieve this, scientists used a diamond anvil cell, a tool designed to recreate the extreme conditions present deep inside planets. They observed how water behaved under pressure, releasing it quickly to see how the ice crystalized. What they found was astonishing: even at room temperature, water molecules could pack together tightly to form ice.
The team utilized advanced X-ray imaging techniques to capture the formation of this new ice phase in real-time. According to Rachel Husband, another researcher, their findings suggest there may be even more unstable forms of ice at high temperatures. These discoveries could deepen our understanding of icy moons and planets.
This groundbreaking research not only adds to our knowledge of ice but also opens new avenues for exploring the conditions of distant celestial bodies. For further insights into water in space, you can check out related findings from NASA’s James Webb Telescope on the discovery of frozen water around another star.
For more detailed information, you can read the full study at Nature Materials.
