U.S.-Japan Cooperative Science: Study of Pattern Formation in Growing Ice Crystals and Influence of Microscopic Interfacial Structure

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9725945 Wettlaufer This award supports a three year collaborative research project between Professor John Wettlaufer of the University of Washington and Professor Yoshinori Furukawa of Hokkaido University in Japan. The researchers will be undertaking studies relating to pattern formation in growing ice crystals and the influence of microscopic interfacial structure. This involves understanding the dynamics of liquid water existing at the boundaries of ice crystals at temperatures below the freezing point of pure water. This process, called premelting, has significant consequences in the redistributing of brine in sea ice, the apparent migrating of contaminants through glacier ice, and the rate of frost heave and weathering in soils and rocks. The experimental and theoretical program will include studies of ice crystal growth and unfrozen water transport between crystals as functions of temperature and temperature differences, as well as such studies between ice crystals and various substrates. An important objective will be the development of useful models for ice growth and impurity transport under natural conditions in order to assess how grain interfaces may serve as chemical conduits. This project brings together the efforts of two laboratories that have complimentary expertise, research capabilities and equipment. The research should provide new insights into the theory of near equilibrium growth and melting of ice. The project is technically relevant because surface phase transitions occur in a host of materials, many of which are important to industrial processing. It is also environmentally relevant since the most abundant crystal growth problems in the natural environment involve ice. Through the exchange of ideas and technology, this project will broaden our base of basic knowledge and promote international understanding and cooperation. ***