Elastic Coulomb-levitation: why is ice so slippery?

TL;DR

This paper explains the molecular mechanisms behind ice's slipperiness, highlighting how a supersolid skin with unique vibrational and polarization properties creates a lubricating layer that enables objects to glide effortlessly.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of elastic Coulomb-levitation driven by molecular undercoordination and polarization effects as the fundamental reason for ice's slipperiness.

Findings

Supersolid skin on ice reduces friction by molecular polarization.

H-O bond shortening and O:H nonbond elongation facilitate levitation.

Vibrational modes contribute to the lubricating properties of ice.

Abstract

The elastic, less dense, polarized, and thermally stable supersolid skin lubricates ice. Molecular undercoordination shortens the H-O bond and lengthens the O:H nonbond through O-O repulsion, which is associated with low-frequency and high-magnitude of O:H vibration and a dual O-O polarization. The softer O:H springs attached with stronger molecular dipoles provide forces levitating objects sliding on ice, like Maglev or Hovercraft.