A team of scientists at Virginia Tech has made a groundbreaking discovery, creating frozen discs of ice that can self-propel across a patterned metal surface. This breakthrough is the latest from Jonathan Boreyko’s lab, which previously demonstrated a three-phase Leidenfrost effect in water vapor and liquid water.
The researchers found that by placing a thin disc of ice on a heated aluminum surface, they could achieve a temperature differential that allowed the ice to levitate. However, unlike liquid droplets, ice requires a much higher threshold temperature of 550°C to levitate. This is because the meltwater beneath the ice disc remains in direct contact with the hot surface, boiling away most of its heat.
The key to this phenomenon lies in the extreme temperature difference between the top and bottom of the meltwater. The bottom is still boiling, while the top sticks to the ice, creating a cushion that lifts the disc off the surface. This effect is not seen in liquid droplets, which makes using ice particles instead of liquid droplets more suitable for applications such as rapid cooling in nuclear power plants, firefighting, and metal shaping.
This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize various fields by providing a faster and more efficient way to cool or heat materials. As Boreyko’s lab continues to explore this phenomenon, they may unlock new possibilities for industrial and scientific research.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/08/ice-discs-slingshot-across-a-metal-surface-all-on-their-own