Ice Film Morphologies and the Structure Zone Model

Abstract

Ice, the solid phase of water, is ubiquitous. A knowledge of ice helps us to comprehend water, a simple molecule, but one with much complex behaviour. Our aim is to understand the morphologies and physics of thin icy films. To treat this complex system we have developed new experimental capabilities with an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) capable of working with ice films, at the same time as new simulation approaches to understanding the physics of ice morphology. A comprehension of the physics of thin‐film morphologies has applicability beyond ice to thin films of metals, ceramics, and other materials.