Nanosized ice crystals might be the most cubic possible

By Katrina Krämer2017-07-13T10:21:00

$X-ray diffraction pattern of square ice$

Source: The Ohio State University

Ultrafast freezing at supersonic speed produces ice with 80% cubic crystal structure

Tiny ice beads comprising a record 80% of cubic crystals have been made by a US–Swedish research team. These exotic ice crystals are pushing the limits of what is possible, raising the question whether 100% cubic crystals can even exist.