Synthesis of Natural-Like Snow by Ultrasonic Nebulization of Water: Morphology and Raman Characterization

Abstract

The current devices used to produce massive amounts of snow (i.e., snow machines) can be improved with concern to both the energy efficiency and the quality of snow. Here we investigate an alternative snow production method based on the ultrasonic nebulization of water and its subsequent condensation on the cold surfaces of a refrigerator. Inspection of the snow samples with a stereo optical microscope shows both dendritic and granular snow morphologies. The characterization of the samples by Raman spectroscopy shows a behavior consistent with that of a natural, low-density snow. Our results indicate that ultrasonic nebulization of water is an effective strategy for producing natural-like snow at the laboratory scale.

Keywords

• artificial snow
• laboratory snow
• Raman spectroscopy
• dendritic snow
• OH-stretching
• water nebulization