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Updated: Jan 26, 2026

The Use of High-resolution Infrared Thermography HRIT for the Study of Ice Nucleation and Ice Propagation in Plants
Published on: May 8, 2015
Labyrinth ice pattern formation induced by near-infrared irradiation
Shlomit Guy Preis1, Haim Chayet1, Adam Katz1
1Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
Researchers discovered a new ice and water pattern formation process using near-infrared irradiation. This differential heating of ice and water phases creates unique patterns, potentially aiding in biological sample cryopreservation.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Ice pattern formation, such as dendritic crystal growth and Tyndall figures, is a known phenomenon.
- Tyndall figures result from superheating ice via light absorption, causing water melting patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a novel ice and water pattern formation process induced by near-infrared (NIR) irradiation.
- To investigate the mechanism driven by differential absorption of NIR light between ice and water phases.
Main Methods:
- Irradiation of thin (tens of micrometers) ice crystals in solution near thermodynamic equilibrium using NIR light.
- Characterization of the resulting patterns, including dynamic holes and microchannel labyrinths, and analysis of the distance between melted points.
Main Results:
- A previously undescribed pattern formation process was observed under NIR irradiation.
- Dynamic holes and a microchannel labyrinth structure were formed in the ice-water system.
- A characteristic distance between melted points was identified within the patterns.
Conclusions:
- Differential absorption of near-infrared light by ice and water is the primary driving force for the observed pattern formation.
- This phenomenon offers a new method for creating intricate ice-water patterns.
- Potential applications include enhanced cryopreservation of biological samples through controlled ice heating.
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