Throughout history, humans have devised various methods to store information for future generations to discover. From cave paintings to messages in bottles, the preservation of knowledge has evolved over time. Inspired by ancient preservation techniques, a research team from China and Czechia has found a unique way to store messages by freezing air bubbles into ice.

The team's study, published in Cell Reports Physical Science, explores the possibility of using frozen air bubbles to efficiently store information in cold environments such as the Arctic, the moon, or Mars where traditional storage methods like paper or electronics may not be practical.

When water freezes, it traps air bubbles within the ice. The researchers discovered that by controlling the freezing speed, they could create layers of bubbles at specific locations in the ice, similar to the concept of Morse code or binary code.

Observations revealed that air bubbles started small, grew, and then slightly shrank before freezing. The final shape of the bubble depended on the speed at which the water turned into ice. The team identified two main bubble shapes: egg-shaped and needle-shaped, and classified regions based on the presence of these shapes.

By manipulating the freezing speed, the researchers were able to create multiple layers of bubbles within a single ice slice. This was achieved by rapidly changing the temperature of the water, resulting in the formation of new bubble layers. The team developed a seven-step process to convert messages into temperature-control patterns, guiding the formation of bubble layers in specific positions.

A camera scanned the ice, and a computer interpreted the layers based on light and dark bands in the image. This encoding method allowed the researchers to record messages such as “FL,” “CN,” and “BJ” using binary and Morse code.

Binary code was found to be the most efficient for message delivery, while Morse code offered easier control during the process. This innovative technique opens up new possibilities for storing information in extreme cold environments using natural elements like air bubbles trapped in ice.