Ice crystals on plants

Applause IconDec 27, 2024 • 5:46 PM UTC
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Manu Prakash

I am a faculty at Stanford and run the Prakash Lab at Department of Bioengineering at Stanford University. Foldscope community is at the heart of our Frugal Science movement - and I can not tell you how proud I am of this community and grassroots movement. Find our work here: http://prakashlab.stanford.edu

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Often in really cold temperatures, you see specific ice crystal types appear on the surface of the branches. Right now, in Quebec, it’s -18C outside and I see ice everywhere. But the most beautiful site is trees and plants - almost looking like rock candy - with beautiful ice crystals appearing in strange forms. Remember, it’s not snow piling up on trees (which is also beautiful) but actual ice crystals emerging from the surface of the plant. I wonder - what does the interface of the ice and the plant cells that are supporting it look like. Do different plants have different crystal structures. How do these plants survive -40C they regularly see in the winter.

So many questions. Enjoy these macroscopic videos of these ice crystals. Will post foldscope videos here - right now I need better shows and gloves to stay long enough outdoors to do this experiment properly.

Freezing cold.
Keep exploring
Manu

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