Crystal structure of SII Clathrate Hydrate (H2D)

This print is designed for DUAL NOZZLE printing (H2D or equivalent) -- although it can be printed on single nozzle machines, it will waste a lot of filament. A single colour model suitable for single nozzle printers can be found here.

A model of the crystalline atomic structure of the type II clathrate hydrate framework. 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 model illustrates a section of the so-called type II (sII) clathrate with a a complete hexadecahedron in the centre decorated with partial hexadecahedra and pentagonal dodecahedra around the outside. The red atoms correspond to oxygen positions in water molecule, with white 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.