Ice VII

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  • First Direct Observation: Scientists have directly observed Plastic Ice VII for the first time, a unique water phase previously only theorized.

  • Hybrid Properties: Plastic Ice VII exhibits both solid and liquid characteristics. Water molecules are fixed in a cubic crystal lattice (solid-like) but can rotate freely (liquid-like).

  • Plasticity: The “plastic” refers to its ability to deform under pressure like a malleable substance, not to synthetic materials.

  • Discovery Method: The discovery was made using neutron beam technology at the Institut Laue-Langevin, subjecting water to extreme pressures (up to 60,000 bars) and temperatures (326°C).

  • Conditions for Formation: Requires extreme pressure (above 30,000 bars) and high temperature (above 177°C)

  • Significance: Plastic Ice VII is believed to exist deep within icy planets and moons (e.g., Neptune, Europa, Titan).

  • Difference from other ices: Unlike common ice (Ice Ih) with a

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hexagonal structure, and Ice VII with a dense cubic structure, Plastic Ice VII has mobile water molecules within a fixed lattice.

  • Implications: Understanding Plastic Ice VII is crucial for planetary science, impacting theories about water distribution and potential habitability on icy celestial bodies.