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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 086102 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 105 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 19 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- General Physics and Astronomy