An ice maker includes an ice making unit and an ice storage bin. A frame is positioned between the ice making unit and the storage bin. An ice making tray is coupled with the frame, including a base defining a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures. A plurality of ice forming features is positioned proximate the first plurality of apertures. The ice forming features are coupled to and extend away from the base. A heating element is in thermal communication with the ice forming features. A wastewater disposal assembly is coupled with the ice making tray.

An ice maker includes an ice making unit and an ice storage bin. A frame is positioned between the ice making unit and the storage bin. An ice making tray is coupled with the frame, including a base defining a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures. A plurality of ice forming features is positioned proximate the first plurality of apertures. The ice forming features are coupled to and extend away from the base. A heating element is in thermal communication with the ice forming features. A wastewater disposal assembly is coupled with the ice making tray.

An ice maker includes an ice making unit and an ice storage bin. A frame is positioned between the ice making unit and the storage bin. An ice making tray is coupled with the frame, including a base defining a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures. A plurality of ice forming features is positioned proximate the first plurality of apertures. The ice forming features are coupled to and extend away from the base. A heating element is in thermal communication with the ice forming features. A wastewater disposal assembly is coupled with the ice making tray.

An ice maker includes an ice making unit and an ice storage bin. A frame is positioned between the ice making unit and the storage bin. An ice making tray is coupled with the frame, including a base defining a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures. A plurality of ice forming features is positioned proximate the first plurality of apertures. The ice forming features are coupled to and extend away from the base. A heating element is in thermal communication with the ice forming features. A wastewater disposal assembly is coupled with the ice making tray.

A refrigeration plant including: a first enclosure containing water in the liquid state at a temperature lower than or equal to the temperature of the triple point of water or higher than the temperature of the triple point of water by less than 10° C., and water in the gaseous state at a first pressure equal to the saturated vapor pressure of the water in equilibrium with the pressure of the water in the liquid state; a second enclosure at a second pressure strictly higher than the first pressure by a factor of at least two; a compression device connecting the first enclosure to the second enclosure; a condensing device adapted to condense the water in the gaseous state in the second enclosure into water in the liquid state; and a cold power extraction device for extracting cold power in the first enclosure.

A refrigeration plant including: a first enclosure containing water in the liquid state at a temperature lower than or equal to the temperature of the triple point of water or higher than the temperature of the triple point of water by less than 10° C., and water in the gaseous state at a first pressure equal to the saturated vapor pressure of the water in equilibrium with the pressure of the water in the liquid state; a second enclosure at a second pressure strictly higher than the first pressure by a factor of at least two; a compression device connecting the first enclosure to the second enclosure; a condensing device adapted to condense the water in the gaseous state in the second enclosure into water in the liquid state; and a cold power extraction device for extracting cold power in the first enclosure.

A method for solidifying a polar substance, in particular water, is presented which comprises the steps of: providing a coolable, hydrophobic, preferably super-hydrophobic, condensation surface within an interior of a container; partially filling the container with a polar substance, preferably in liquid form, and an immiscible additive, preferably in liquid form, so that the condensation surface remains at least partially unsubmerged; cooling the hydrophobic condensation surface to a temperature T.sub.cond below a solidification temperature T.sub.solid of the polar substance; and removing solidified polar substance from the container.

A method for solidifying a polar substance, in particular water, is presented which comprises the steps of: providing a coolable, hydrophobic, preferably super-hydrophobic, condensation surface within an interior of a container; partially filling the container with a polar substance, preferably in liquid form, and an immiscible additive, preferably in liquid form, so that the condensation surface remains at least partially unsubmerged; cooling the hydrophobic condensation surface to a temperature T.sub.cond below a solidification temperature T.sub.solid of the polar substance; and removing solidified polar substance from the container.

A refrigeration plant including: a first enclosure containing water in the liquid state at a temperature lower than or equal to the temperature of the triple point of water or higher than the temperature of the triple point of water by less than 10° C., and water in the gaseous state at a first pressure equal to the saturated vapor pressure of the water in equilibrium with the pressure of the water in the liquid state; a second enclosure at a second pressure strictly higher than the first pressure by a factor of at least two; a compression device connecting the first enclosure to the second enclosure; a condensing device adapted to condense the water in the gaseous state in the second enclosure into water in the liquid state; and a cold power extraction device for extracting cold power in the first enclosure.

A refrigeration plant including: a first enclosure containing water in the liquid state at a temperature lower than or equal to the temperature of the triple point of water or higher than the temperature of the triple point of water by less than 10° C., and water in the gaseous state at a first pressure equal to the saturated vapor pressure of the water in equilibrium with the pressure of the water in the liquid state; a second enclosure at a second pressure strictly higher than the first pressure by a factor of at least two; a compression device connecting the first enclosure to the second enclosure; a condensing device adapted to condense the water in the gaseous state in the second enclosure into water in the liquid state; and a cold power extraction device for extracting cold power in the first enclosure.