Normally when water freezes, we think that it’s getting colder. In fact, water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). That’s cold! But a recent study out of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel reveals that a group of scientists have found how to turn liquid water into ice…with heat!
The discovery is based on the observation that water can enter a 'supercooled' state in which it is still liquid down to minus 40 degrees Celsius, which is below water’s natural freezing point. This is possible only if there are no particulate matter (like dust or rough surfaces) present in the liquid water. These small pieces of 'matter' are the “seeds”, around which the ice crystals start forming. So, removing the “seeds” will prevent formation of ice crystals.
The scientists who made the discovery used “quasi-amorphous pyroelectric thin films”. These surfaces can change their electrical charge depending on the temperature. So when the pyroelectric surface is positively charged, water is easier to freeze, and when they have a negative charge, it becomes harder to freeze.
Looks like we may be able to overcome the universal problem of Global Warming
The researchers have also found that by using supercooled water and the pyroelectric thin films, they could freeze the water as it was heated (as long as the temperature changes, the film surface gets charged as well). For example, when supercooled water is on a negatively charged surface, it will freeze immediately when the surface is heated to 17.6 degrees F (minus 8 degrees C) and its charge switches to positive. That is, adding heat freezes the water.
The implications of this research could potentially be applied to a variety of fields. This would mean that many things which were not possible before can now be accomplished. This may include cryopreservation of cells and tissues in the field of medical research, the protection of crops from freezing in the field of agriculture, or possibly the ability to understand and trigger cloud formation in the field of atmospheric science.
In today's world, marred by fears of Global Warming, this discovery just makes us realize that, after all, everything is in our own hands.
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