Israeli Scientists Develop "Super Ice" for Arctic and Antarctic Construction

Israeli researchers have created a novel material named BioPykrete, which is ice-based but possesses strength comparable to concrete. According to Ynet, the material is ten times stronger than regular ice under compression and can absorb 70 times more energy before fracturing. This innovation holds significant potential for simplifying construction in the Arctic and Antarctic, regions where transporting building materials is costly and logistically challenging.

The research was led by Professor Ido Braslavsky from the Hebrew University's Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, with findings published in Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. BioPykrete's compressive strength approaches that of standard concrete, while offering superior resistance to sudden breakage compared to conventional ice. Traditional ice's main drawback for construction in cold climates is its tendency for cracks to propagate rapidly, leading to catastrophic failure.

To overcome this, the scientists incorporated nanocellulose crystals, rigid particles derived from plants, into water. Upon freezing, these crystals form a three-dimensional network around ice crystals. The key breakthrough, however, was the development of a synthetic protein that acts as a molecular glue, binding the ice and cellulose together. This network impedes crack propagation, allowing the material to deform gradually and absorb energy under stress.

Professor Braslavsky explained that the addition of the synthetic protein doubled the material's strength and energy absorption capabilities compared to simple ice-cellulose mixtures. He noted, "We wanted to go beyond simply adding fibers to ice and control how different materials connect at the molecular level. The result changes not only the strength of the ice but also the nature of its failure. Instead of suddenly shattering into pieces, the material can absorb a large amount of energy and deform gradually."

The concept of reinforcing ice dates back to World War II experiments with pykrete, a mixture of ice and sawdust. The Hebrew University team advanced this idea by creating molecular-level bonds. A major advantage of BioPykrete for polar regions is the reduced need for transporting materials, as water is readily available on-site. Only about 3% cellulose and 0.1-0.15% protein by weight would need to be imported, as explained by Braslavsky.

An example highlighting the potential impact is the construction of a pier at the British Antarctic Survey's Rothera station between 2018 and 2020, which required shipping 4,500 tons of materials over 11,000 kilometers. BioPykrete could enable the on-site production of building elements, roads, and bridges, particularly in remote areas where steel and concrete are difficult to supply. The researchers also consider it an eco-friendly, biodegradable option, though further testing is required to assess its long-term durability, resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, and potential for enhanced strength through different proteins or freezing methods.