New substance created from water

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a recent claim of creating a new alloy from water, specifically a solid mixture of hydrogen and oxygen molecules achieved through high-energy X-rays and extreme pressure. Participants explore the implications of this discovery on the understanding of water's chemistry and potential applications in energy storage.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the significance of the discovery, questioning the claims that it could change our understanding of water's chemistry.
  • Others speculate on potential applications, including energy storage, though the feasibility of such applications remains uncertain.
  • A participant notes the stability of the new alloy under extreme pressure, suggesting it may have unique properties.
  • There is a humorous tone in some responses, indicating a mix of excitement and skepticism regarding the implications of the discovery.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are mixed reactions ranging from excitement about the discovery to skepticism about its practical implications and significance.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the stability and potential applications of the new alloy depend on specific conditions, such as the extreme pressure required for its stability, which may limit practical use.

Ivan Seeking
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If you think we know all there is to know about water, think again. Scientists claim they have created a totally new alloy of hydrogen and oxygen molecules by splitting water.

It takes high-energy X-rays and an extremely high pressure, but the end result is a solid mixture of H2 and 02 that has never been identified before, they say. The discovery could change our understanding of the complex chemistry of water.

The new alloy is "a highly energetic material", says Wendy Mao at Los Alamos National Laboratory, US, who led the research. "It may help us find a way of storing energy." [continued]
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn10391-brand-new-substance-created-from-water.html
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Sounds great. I wonder what they plan to be able to with it?
 
Blow things up of course...
 
Cover it up.

Oil must go on.
 
Talk about overhyping!

"The discovery could change our understanding of the complex chemistry of water..."

"...It may help us find a way of storing energy..."

LOL! :smile:
 
...would've thought that after people have been studying water for so long and for example found like 10++ types of ice couldn't have come up with anything new (well not crystalline at least). Cool!
 
As long as it remained under a pressure 10,000 times greater than at sea level, it was "surprisingly stable", they say.
:smile: :smile:
 

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