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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
08:16
Ice Generation and the Heat and Mass Transfer Phenomena of Introducing Water to a Cold Bath of Brine
Published on: March 13, 2017
Experimental evidence for ice formation at room temperature.
1Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, P.O. Box 9504, Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands. k.b.jinesh@nxp.com
Physical Review Letters
|September 4, 2008
Summary
Water confined between surfaces rapidly forms ice at room temperature, exhibiting stick-slip motion. This crystalline ice fracture and healing significantly increases friction, challenging previous theories on confined water behavior.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Tribology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Water behavior under extreme confinement is controversial.
- Lubrication properties of confined water are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate water's behavior and lubrication under extreme confinement.
- Clarify the phase transitions and friction mechanisms of confined water at room temperature.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a high-resolution friction force microscope.
- Scanned a sharp tungsten tip over a graphite surface.
- Controlled relative humidity and ultralow scan speeds.
Main Results:
- Observed rapid transformation of nucleated water into crystalline ice at room temperature.
- Detected stick-slip motion with a 0.38+/-0.03 nm period, distinct from the graphite lattice.
- Interpreted motion as shear-induced fracture and healing of crystalline ice.
Conclusions:
- Confined water forms crystalline ice at room temperature, not a liquid lubricant.
- Ice fracture and healing significantly increase friction and introduce relaxation dynamics.
- Findings resolve long-standing controversies regarding confined water lubrication.
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