A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Cutting Ice: Nanowire Regelation
Authors: Hynninen T, Heinonen V, Dias CL, Karttunen M, Foster AS, Ala-Nissila T
Publisher: AMER PHYSICAL SOC
Publication year: 2010
Journal: Physical Review Letters
Journal name in source: PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
Journal acronym: PHYS REV LETT
Article number: ARTN 086102
Volume: 105
Issue: 8
Number of pages: 4
ISSN: 0031-9007
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.086102
Abstract
Even below its normal melting temperature, ice melts when subjected to high pressure and refreezes once the pressure is lifted. A classic demonstration of this regelation phenomenon is the passing of a thin wire through a block of ice when sufficient force is exerted. Here we present a molecular-dynamics study of a nanowire cutting through ice to unravel the molecular level mechanisms responsible for regelation. In particular, we show that the transition from a stationary to a moving wire due to increased driving force changes from symmetric and continuous to asymmetric and discontinuous as a hydrophilic wire is replaced by a hydrophobic one. This is explained at the molecular level in terms of the wetting properties of the wire.
Even below its normal melting temperature, ice melts when subjected to high pressure and refreezes once the pressure is lifted. A classic demonstration of this regelation phenomenon is the passing of a thin wire through a block of ice when sufficient force is exerted. Here we present a molecular-dynamics study of a nanowire cutting through ice to unravel the molecular level mechanisms responsible for regelation. In particular, we show that the transition from a stationary to a moving wire due to increased driving force changes from symmetric and continuous to asymmetric and discontinuous as a hydrophilic wire is replaced by a hydrophobic one. This is explained at the molecular level in terms of the wetting properties of the wire.
UTU Research Portal