This story is part of Planet or Plastic?—our multiyear effort to raise awareness about the global plastic waste crisis. Learn what you can do to reduce your own single-use plastics, and take ...

Scientists have now created an exotic new form of ice in the lab, known as “plastic ice VII.” This strange version could exist naturally on other planets and moons in our solar system.

This gives the ice a plasticity, hence the name “Plastic Ice.” Although water is traditionally described as existing in one of three stages of matter, there are over 20 types of ice that can ...