Studies of Cubic Ice Crystals
Abstract
This three-year study, conducted for the Innovative Science and Technology Program of the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization through the Office of Naval Research, has produced a number of interesting findings of consequences to the atmospheric sciences. More important, the discovery of one phenomenon--that ionic salts which are present undergo differential ion inclusion into the ice phase of growing ice crystals--results in the explanation of many ice crystal initiation, growth, and interaction processes. These include ice crystal aggregation, morphology and symmetry, secondary ice crystal formation, and coupled oxidation-reduction reactions in growing ice crystal. Implications of these processes involve atmospheric pollution processes, planetary oxygen atmosphere generation, Antarctic ozone depletion processes, and ore bodies of atmospheric origin. Potential roles in thunderstorm electrification can be seen. It is anticipated that these discoveries in ice crystal growth phenomena will apply equally well to crystal growth processes in general. (AW)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 11, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA216574
Entities
People
- Richard L. Pitter
- William G. Finnegan
Organizations
- University of Nevada, Reno