Discovery of Plastic Ice VII

GS III-Conservation

Context:

The discovery of Plastic Ice VII provides valuable insights into extreme planetary environments, as reported by The Times of India (ToI).

What is Plastic Ice VII?

• A newly confirmed fourth phase of water, distinct from its conventional solid, liquid, and gaseous states.
• Forms under extreme conditions—requiring pressures of 6 GPa and temperatures reaching 327°C (620°F).
• Exhibits unusual molecular behavior, allowing water molecules to rotate freely within a rigid crystalline structure, unlike conventional ice.

How Was It Created?

• Scientists synthesized it using Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering (QENS).
• Advanced instruments tracked molecular motion under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions.
• Hydrogen atoms in Ice VII display a unique rotational behavior, defying traditional solid-state properties.

Significance of Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering (QENS)

• A technique used to study atomic-scale motion in extreme environments.
• Detects both translational and rotational movement of water molecules under pressure.
• Aids in identifying phase transitions in complex materials, such as Plastic Ice VII.

Implications for Extraterrestrial Habitability

• Redefines Water’s Role: Challenges conventional assumptions about water’s ability to support life beyond Earth.
• Extreme Planetary Ice: Likely present in the deep interiors of exoplanets and icy moons like Europa and Titan.
• Predictive Insights: Enhances understanding of how water behaves under high pressures in distant celestial bodies.
• Astrobiological Relevance: Expands possibilities for alien biospheres that rely on unconventional water states.