Surfaces have an important role in solid–liquid phase transformations, but whereas melting is normally observed at surfaces, freezing usually originates in the bulk. Computational studies now predict surface-induced nucleation in supercooled liquid silicon and germanium, and the proposed nucleation mechanism could prove to be relevant for other tetrahedrally coordinated systems.
- Tianshu Li
- Davide Donadio
- Giulia Galli
