"Bizarre Heat-Resistant Ice Discovered, Defying Conventional Melting Points"
Scientists have discovered a new phase of superionic ice, called Ice XIX, which has a body-centered cubic structure and increased conductivity compared to its predecessor, Ice XVIII. Superionic ice is a strange form of ice that exists at extreme pressures and temperatures, such as those found in the interiors of Uranus, Neptune, and similar exoplanets. The enhanced conductivity of Ice XIX could explain the off-kilter magnetic fields observed in Uranus and Neptune, suggesting that these ice giants may have layers of superionic ice with differing conductivity, leading to the generation of multipolar magnetic fields. This discovery deepens our understanding of the unique properties of water in extreme environments and its role in shaping planetary interiors.