Crystal structures of SI & SII Clathrate Hydrates

This print is designed for single nozzle machines. A two-colour print for dual nozzle printers (e.g. H2D) with different coloured oxygen and hydrogen atoms is available from here. 

Models of the crystalline atomic structure of two different types of clathrate hydrate frameworks. These are formed when gases are trapped within cages of water molecules under high pressures and low temperatures, such as on the sea bed. In particular, methane clathrate can trap flammable methane inside a water network leading to the name “Burning ice”.

The models illustrate sections of the so-called type I (sI) clathrate with a complete pentagonal dodecahedron in the centre decorated with partial tetradecahedra around outside, and type II (sII) clathrate with a a complete hexadecahedron in the centre decorated with partial hexadecahedra and pentagonal dodecahedra around the outside. The atoms correspond to oxygen positions in water molecule, with hydrogen atoms positioned between each pair of oxygens according to the Bernal-Fowler ice rules.

Crystal structures optimised using DFT calculations and then imported into Blender for rendering and exported as STL.