The temperature jump at a growing ice-water interface

During an ice growth rate of around 0.02 mm/s, we report a temperature jump at an ice-water interface above 0 degrees C up to 1.68 degrees C (0.01 +/- degrees C), as measured with thermochromatic-liquid-crystals. This gives experimental proof for the existence of an interfacial temperature jump during a liquid-solid phase transition, confirming similar results for liquid-vapour transition, and supporting idea of the surface as a separate thermodynamic system. The fact that there is no continuity in intensive variables across the interface, unlike what is assumed in standard engineering models, has a bearing on the understanding and modelling of coupled heat and mass transport at interfaces in nature and man-made applications. (c) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.