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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
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A Microfluidic Approach for the Study of Ice and Clathrate Hydrate Crystallization
Published on: August 18, 2022
Experiments on the morphology of icicles.
Antony Szu-Han Chen1, Stephen W Morris
1Department of Physics, University of Toronto, 60 Saint George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A7.
Summary
Icicle growth and shape were studied in lab experiments. Results show icicles don't always reach predicted self-similar shapes, sometimes forming unusual patterns like branching and upward-climbing ripples.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Fluid Dynamics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Icicles form from dripping water below freezing.
- Ice growth depends on latent heat transfer.
- Theoretical models predict self-similar icicle shapes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate icicle shape evolution under controlled conditions.
- Compare experimental results with theoretical predictions.
- Analyze factors influencing icicle morphology.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory experiments growing icicles under controlled conditions.
- Image analysis to track icicle shape changes.
- Varying water purity and environmental parameters.
Main Results:
- Observed deviations from predicted self-similar shapes.
- Identified unpredicted nonuniformities like tip branching.
- Noted upward-climbing ripples on the ice-water interface.
- Pure water icicles showed greater self-similarity than tap water icicles.
Conclusions:
- Theoretical self-similar shapes are not always achieved.
- Icicle formation can lead to complex, unpredicted morphologies.
- Water purity influences the degree of self-similarity in icicles.
