In chemistry, ice it comes in many different forms, i.e. different crystalline lattice structures that fundamentally alter some of its chemical properties. Normal ice uses the hydrogen bond between oxygen and hydrogen in water to hold together, however, at extremely high temperatures and pressures, those crystal lattices can form in such a way that the hydrogen atoms in the water can move freely. through the lattice. Since the hydrogen atoms are charged, this is equivalent to transferring an electrical charge through the lattice structure. In other words, if created under the right conditions, ice can be electrically conductive.
Known as "superionic ice," this unique form of ice has been the focus of research for decades, with mixed results on how to achieve this form. As many scientists do, Dr. Prakpenka and his team have decided to launch high-powered tools on the problem. In their case, they used the high-energy synchrotron X-ray beam from the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory to probe the details of the formation process.
What they discovered required thousands of executions on the system in more than ten years. The data eventually indicated two different conditions that could lead to two different types of superionic ice. One such set of conditions appears to be similar to the conditions in the internal atmospheres of ice giants. However, there is still a lot of work to be done to prove that superionic ice is actually the cause of these fields. Maybe a future space mission can dispel any doubts.