In the far reaches of the earth, where temperatures plunge well below freezing, the creation of snow pavements is essential for maintaining essential transportation routes. But, what if we could accelerate the sintering process - the bonding of snow particles - in these extreme conditions? A recent study by Greg White, Jaspre Outram, and Adrian McCallum, explores the possibility of using liquid dye to speed up snow sintering.

In polar regions like the South Pole, where temperatures rarely exceed -20°C, the construction of seasonal snow runways is a challenging endeavour. The slow natural sintering of snow particles means that runway creation is impractical, given the limited time available. To overcome this obstacle, the researchers in this study considered an unconventional solution: the discoloration of the snow surface using liquid dye. The research team conducted experiments on manufactured snow samples stored in a mobile cold room, simulating the extreme conditions of the South Pole. The manufactured snow was treated with varying concentrations of liquid dye (ranging from 0% to 3% by mass) and allowed to sinter over specific timeframes. The results were both exciting and promising. The manufactured snow samples treated with 2% to 3% of inert liquid black dye showed significant improvements in temperature, density, and compressive strength. Such findings open up new possibilities for the creation of seasonal snow runways and essential transportation routes, pending environmental approval.

This research is a significant step in addressing the challenges of infrastructure construction in polar regions. By harnessing the potential of liquid dye to accelerate snow sintering, we may soon witness the creation of seasonal snow runways at the South Pole and other extreme environments. While further testing and environmental considerations are necessary, this study demonstrates the power of creative thinking and innovation in solving some of the world's most unique challenges.

Dr Greg White, Jaspre Outram, and Dr Adrian McCallum