T
twilyth
Guest
It turns out that when you cool ice to about 60K, the hydrogen atoms line up in a pattern that accentuates the polarity of the ice. see diagram.
Now research has shown that XI can not only survive temps higher than 60K, but that once it has reverted to regular ice 1h at a higher temp, it can be converted back to ice XI at up to 72K.
This is important because XI can convert other forms of ice to the XI form and because of its polarity, it can attract, electrostatically, a variety of other particles such as organic molecules thus accelerating planet formation and seeding the beginnings of life.
the article does a much better job of explaining it.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21128274.400-electric-ice-a-shock-to-the-solar-system.html
Now research has shown that XI can not only survive temps higher than 60K, but that once it has reverted to regular ice 1h at a higher temp, it can be converted back to ice XI at up to 72K.
This is important because XI can convert other forms of ice to the XI form and because of its polarity, it can attract, electrostatically, a variety of other particles such as organic molecules thus accelerating planet formation and seeding the beginnings of life.
the article does a much better job of explaining it.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21128274.400-electric-ice-a-shock-to-the-solar-system.html