Expert: Reza Foudazi - 2/28/2009

Question
Hello Reza, I recall years ago seeing a television commercial from Union Carbide,Dow Chemical,3M or perhaps one of the petroleum companies ( I don't recall which ) about a discovery that changed the molecular structure of water. In the TV commercial, a chemist adds a chemical compound to ordinary tap water and the waters structure is changed somehow. The chemist demonstrates that an ordinary book of matches is submerged in this altered water and when removed, the matches are still perfectly dry! Another demonstration is performed by submerging an electronic component in this altered water ( with live power going through it ) and the component doesn't short out. However the water would quickly find 'shorts and faults' buy bubbles rising from the exact area of the fault itself making repairs and diagnostics very fast. I have an idea for another use for this special water but can't seem to find out more information about it. The commercial claimed it was discovered by accident and it was described as ' water that didn't do anything to anything!' Can you help identifying this mystery compound ?  Thanks

Answer
Hi Steve
These seems more a fantasy story, but in the field of science it is not impossible. Although, you have to add something to the water to make it hydrophobic (means: dislike water).
I think if you look at the following links, you will see some scientific work in this matter:
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=scientists-create-dry-wat
http://www.physorg.com/news7237.html
http://www.reactivereports.com/49/49_1.html
I hope these are what you would like to see.
Regards,
Reza