POLYWATER Meaning and
Definition
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Polywater is a term used to describe a viscous and syrupy polymer-like substance that was believed to have unusual and unique properties when it was first discovered in the 1960s. It was initially thought to be a new form of water with potentially groundbreaking characteristics. However, subsequent research has debunked these claims and concluded that polywater is not a distinct phase of water, but rather a contaminant that arises from impurities present during its synthesis.
Polywater was originally thought to possess high viscosity, increased boiling and freezing points, and extraordinary surface tension compared to regular water. It was suggested that these properties could have various industrial applications, such as enhancing heat transfer efficiency or acting as an effective lubricant.
Further investigations into polywater revealed that its supposed properties were the result of impurities, particularly organic contaminants. These impurities cause the water molecules to form long chains or polymers, resulting in the observed viscosity and other anomalous characteristics.
As a consequence, polywater cannot be considered a viable or separate form of water. The term "polywater" is now mostly used to reference the historical misconception surrounding this substance rather than a legitimate scientific concept.
Etymology of POLYWATER
The word "polywater" was coined in 1961 by a Soviet scientist named Boris Deryagin. It comes from the combination of two root words: "poly" and "water". "Poly" is derived from the Greek word "polýs", meaning "many" or "multiple". "Water" refers to the H2O liquid substance known to us. Thus, "polywater" essentially denotes "many waters" or a substance that is similar to water but with different properties.
