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Welcome to the Floating Ice Group

The fact that ice floats is one of its most amazing and important properties. There are very few other materials on Earth, and none as abundant as water, that expand as they solidify so that the solid form becomes less dense than the liquid form. The cause of this remarkable trait is at the molecular level and the distribution of electric charge surrounding the two hydrogen atoms and the oxygen atom that comprise the water molecule. This leads to a more open crystal structure as opposed to a denser packing of water molecules in liquid water. The structure of the water molecule and its arrangement in the solid also gives rise to the spectacular 6-fold symmetry of snow flakes.

The buoyancy of ice is such a well known phenomenon that it is easy to forget its importance. The world would be a vastly different place if ice sunk to the bottom of the sea, where it would accumulate and fill the ocean basins. In our floating ice world however, the ice remains on the surface where it modulates the global climate by reflecting solar energy and insulating the waters beneath. It also provides a habitat and platform for a wide range of organisms and is utilized as a travel corridor by man as well. In the Floating Ice Group, we study a broad range of subjects with global implications that all arise from the peculiarities of the water molecule.

Student research opportunities:

(1) Ph.D. graduate student support available for a study linking sea-ice transport properties (dielectric properties, permeability, etc.) to ice microstructure in an interdisciplinary project with colleagues at the University of Utah and in New Zealand, with direct applications for remote sensing and the development of new sensor systems for polar observing networks, available starting in summer of 2010. Background in (geo)physics, engineering, chemistry or material science helpful.

(2) Ph.D. graduate student support as part of the SIZONet project; SIZONet examines changes in Alaska's sea ice cover as seen from the perspective of geophysicists and local, indigenous ice experts. By synthesizing these perspectives we hope to provide helpful input to coastal communities adapting to environmental and socio-economic change. The project provides funding support for at least three years, background in the physical-environmental sciences or engineering combined with an ability to work in an interdisciplinary setting is helpful.

Please contact Hajo Eicken (hajo.eicken@gi.alaska.edu) for details.