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Curlers' gadget spurs study of ice

Research team builds on electronic brooms to help cars stay on the road.

An unusual partnership between Scottish scientists and Olympic curlers has spawned a bit of research that could help cars to grip icy roads.

Continue reading story here.

Posted by Mark Peplow on February 17, 2006 04:55 PM |

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http://www.nature.com/news/2006/060213/full/060213-14.html

says:

"Ice is slippy because you get frictional heating"

That is incorrect. Ice is slippery because pressure against it breaks the hydrogen bonds between molecules, creating a lubricating film of liquid water on the smooth surface of the solid ice.

Posted by: Jon Silverman | February 19, 2006 02:05 PM

Say Jon,If hydrogen bond breaks under pressure then why do two ice cubes fuse together under pressure?

Posted by: ASKARI | February 20, 2006 05:25 PM

Hello. It's the editor of news@nature.com here. You might want to read this NY Times article, which explains the different effects of pressure and friction on the melting of ice. Very enlightening! http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/21/science/21ice.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Posted by: nicola jones | February 21, 2006 09:55 AM

Great and informative article.

Posted by: Joseph J. Vitale | February 21, 2006 07:55 PM

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