Imagine a cube, a lattice with oxygen atoms at the corners connected by hydrogen when it transforms into this new superionic phase, the lattice expands, allowing the hydrogen atoms to migrate around while the oxygen atoms remain steady in their positions
Using an X-ray to look at the results, the team found the ice became less dense and was described as black in color because it interacted differently with light
Superionic ice doesn't exist only inside far-away planets — it's also inside Earth, and it plays a role in maintaining our planet's magnetic fields
team thinks learning about superionic ice might play an important role in searching for other planets that can host life.