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Korean Researchers Identify Water's Liquid-Critical Point Below -60°C

3/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

A Korean research team led by Professor Kyunghwan Kim of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) identified the liquid-liquid critical point of water.
The finding, published in Science, shows water can exist as two distinct liquid phases below about -60°C.
The researchers used an X-ray free-electron laser to observe supercooled water at extreme temperatures.
They conducted the work despite COVID-19 challenges, underscoring dedication and the study's potential impact.

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Story summary

A Korean research team led by Professor Kyunghwan Kim of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) identified the liquid-liquid critical point of water.
The finding, published in Science, shows water can exist as two distinct liquid phases below about -60°C.
The researchers used an X-ray free-electron laser to observe supercooled water at extreme temperatures.
They conducted the work despite COVID-19 challenges, underscoring dedication and the study's potential impact.