Researchers Discovered New Form of Superionic Ice
The hexagonal close-packed phase may explain magnetic field anomalies observed on Ice Giant planets.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Materials Science
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Scientists have identified a new form of superionic hexagonal close-packed (hcp) ice that forms under extreme pressure. This phase, described in Physical Review Letters, was observed during experiments involving intense compression and laser heating.
Why it matters
Understanding the structure of water ice at extreme conditions allows researchers to better model the interior environments and non-axisymmetric magnetic fields of Ice Giant planets. This discovery provides a potential mechanism for internal planetary dynamics that were previously unexplained.
The new hcp ice structure was identified using x-ray beams to probe water samples at 219 gigapascals and 2630 Kelvin. This state features a crystalline lattice of oxygen atoms with hydrogen atoms that remain freely moving, distinguishing it from previously confirmed phases.
The players
European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
A research facility in Grenoble, France, that provides high-intensity x-ray beams for atomic-scale material analysis.
The details
Researchers created this state of matter using diamond-anvil cells — devices that squeeze material between two diamond tips — to reach pressures up to 230 gigapascals. Lasers were used to heat the samples to extreme temperatures, while high-energy x-ray beams at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France, allowed the team to map the atomic structure. Superionic ice is characterized by a unique state where oxygen atoms form a rigid lattice while hydrogen atoms maintain liquid-like mobility.
Timeline
2019: Scientists confirmed the existence of superionic Ice XVIII.
September 23, 2026: Findings on hcp ice were published in Physical Review Letters.
The Tech Race
This research builds upon the 2019 confirmation of superionic Ice XVIII to further map the phase diagram of water under extreme planetary conditions. It directly addresses the challenge of characterizing planetary interiors that remain beyond the reach of direct exploration.
This discovery is a fundamental advance in planetary science that currently informs theoretical modeling of distant solar systems. While it does not impact consumer hardware, it provides a benchmark for future computational simulations regarding the formation of celestial bodies.
The takeaway
The identification of hcp ice suggests that internal planetary dynamics are more complex than previously assumed. Researchers are expected to pursue further theoretical studies to confirm how this phase influences the specific non-axisymmetric magnetic fields of Ice Giants.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Materials Science and extreme-condition research.
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