Simulations of Ice Nucleation by Model AgI Disks and Plates.

Silver iodide is one of the most effective ice nuclei known. We use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate ice nucleation by AgI disks and plates with radii ranging from 1.15 to 2.

Simulations of Ice Nucleation by Kaolinite (001) with Rigid and Flexible Surfaces.

Nucleation of ice by airborne particles is a process vital to weather and climate, yet our understanding of the mechanisms underlying this process is limited. Kaolinite is a clay that is a significant component of airborne particles and is an effective ice nucleus. Despite receiving considerable attention, the microscopic mechanism(s) by which kaolinite nucleates ice is not known.

A Molecular Mechanism of Ice Nucleation on Model AgI Surfaces.

Heterogeneous ice nucleation at solid surfaces is important in many physical systems including the Earth's atmosphere. AgI is one of the best ice nucleating agents known; however, why AgI is such an effective ice nucleus is unclear. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we show that a good lattice match between ice and a AgI surface is insufficient to predict the ice nucleation ability of the surface.