[PapaBear3625]

I have a project at work which involves freezing a solution. We wanted to use metal molds but have found ice sticks to all metals and even Teflon. Can’t use nanostructured surfaces because the molds would wear out too quickly.

Could you use a thin metal mold, then briefly heat it enough that the ice comes loose enough to be taken out?

[packagingguy]

Yes that can be done, as it is for popsicles. However we have found a blast freezer can freeze so quickly that silicone molds work fine. The trick is the air must flow quickly to remove heat rapidly.