Along with its structural forms, the motion of the water molecules also plays an important role for earth sciences and biology. Seminal work determining the speed of molecular reorientation and diffusion in various environments was carried out on ILL spectrometers.

In nature, ice is often encountered in non-crystalline form. This is particularly true for ice found on surfaces (proteins) or in pores. Similarly, ice in outer space is mainly present in disordered form.
The study of the transformation mechanisms which lead to disordered ice structures provides valuable clues for the understanding of water.

The neutron scattering experiments at the ILL made it possible to follow the structural changes undergone and provided considerable insight into the transformation mechanisms of disordered ice structures, thus helping researchers to understand the subtle forces that govern the transition from one form of water to another.