Sea-ice Environmental Research Facility (SERF) enters 5th year of frozen salt water experiments at University of Manitoba.

While others in Winnipeg are lamenting the bone-chilling temperatures and extreme weather warnings, researchers at a unique lab are celebrating the cold and seizing the opportunity to grow tiny, briny, icy structures called frost flowers.  "I think [I'm] one of those people that actually likes a cold spell, so this is perfect," said Feiyue Wang, director of the University of Manitoba's Sea-ice Environmental Research Facility (SERF).  SERF is the only outdoor experimental pool of its kind in Canada, and one of only a handful like it worldwide. At about 18 metres long, nine metres wide, and 2½-metres deep, the outdoor pool gives researchers a chance to simulate polar ocean conditions and grow their own sea ice at a fraction of the cost of studying up north.  Read more...