Gerald H Pollack
University of Washington, USA
Title: The fourth phase of water: Beyond solid, liquid and vapor
Biography
Biography: Gerald H Pollack
Abstract
School children learn that water has three phases: solid, liquid and vapor. But, we have recently uncovered a fourth phase. This phasernoccurs next to water-loving (hydrophilic) surfaces. It is surprisingly extensive, projecting out from the surface by up to millionsrnof molecular layers. And, its properties differ markedly from those of bulk water. Of particular significance is the observation thatrnthis fourth phase is charged; and, the water just beyond is oppositely charged, creating a battery that can produce electrical current.rnWe found that light charges this battery. Thus, water can receive and process electromagnetic energy drawn from the environment inrnmuch the same way as plants. Absorbed electromagnetic (light) energy can then be exploited for performing work, including electricalrnand mechanical work. Recent experiments confirm the reality of such energy conversion. This energy-conversion framework seemsrnrich with implication. Not only does it provide an understanding of how water processes solar and other energies, but also it mayrnprovide a foundation for simpler understanding natural phenomena ranging from weather and green energy all the way to biologicalrnissues such as the origin of life, transport and osmosis. The talk will present evidence for the existence of this phase of water — howrncome nobody’s seen it before? It will also consider the potentially broad implications of this phase for materials and health.