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Water exposed to magnetic field is a better dispersion agent than normal water

The motion of negatively charged electrons around the positively charged nucleus in an atom generates a magnetic field. Therefore, magnetism might play a role in shaping the properties or behavior of matter. Consequently, properties of matter like water can be perturbed subtly by subjecting it to a magnetic field.

Water exposed to magnetic field is referred to as magnetized water. In real world applications, for most part, water is not 100 % pure. Therefore, the term magnetized water refers to water and its content (impurities) exposed to magnetic field. Properties of water are altered in presence of magnetic field. These properties of magnetized water have found numerous applications in different fields. Consumption of water exposed to the North Pole of magnet; referred to as North Pole magnetized water, has been shown to offer health benefits to humans (ref needed). Similarly, South Pole magnetized water has been shown to be beneficial to plant growth. How these benefits are conferred is not clearly understood. But, magnetization of water has been consistently shown to alter properties of water like pH and surface tension. Magnetization increases the pH of water by almost 1 unit (ref needed). For example, if pure water having a pH of 7.0 is exposed to magnetic field, the pH increases to 8.0. We observed a nominal increase in pH from 7.0 to 7.5 after exposure of water to magnetic field for 24 h. Increasing the strength of the magnetic field is likely to increase the pH further and reduce the time of exposure to attain that pH. How exposure of water to magnetic field increases the pH is currently not known. Perhaps, impurities present in water alter the pH in presence of magnets.

Magnetization of water has been shown to increase the wetness and improve the taste of water (ref needed). The level of water in the container decreases upon magnetization, suggesting it reduces the surface tension of water (ref needed). The changes in properties of water and their benefits have been tied to the change in inter-molecular bonding pattern of water molecules (ref 4 and 5). Water is made up of two atoms of hydrogen covalently bonded to one atom of oxygen, resulting in fulfillment of valency of both types of atoms. The oxygen atom carries a partial negative charge, while the hydrogen atoms carry a partial positive charge. This enables the water molecules to forge hydrogen bonds between oppositely charged atoms and form a network of water molecules linked by hydrogen bonds. What is the size of the network of water molecules and how is it determined is currently not understood well. It is speculated that magnetized water reduces the size of the network, resulting in smaller clusters of water molecules. These smaller clusters of water molecules could easily permeate biological cells when compared to larger clusters formed in non-magnetized water (ref needed). Although networks of water molecules formed by intermolecular hydrogen bonds between water molecules have been observed in crystal structures of proteins solved by X-ray crystallography , there is not much direct evidence to support the argument that application of magnetic field reduces the cluster size of water molecules.

We observed that magnetization of water enhances the ability of the water (solvent) to disperse molecules of water-soluble compounds (own work). We added a drop of bromothymol blue (pH indicator) in identical manner and under similar conditions to beakers containing magnetized and non-magnetized water separately. Twenty-four hours prior to the test for pH, water from the same source and similar amounts were filled in conical flasks. Some of the flasks were stored far away from the magnetic field as non-magnetized water. Remaining flasks were exposed to the North-pole of magnets for 24 hrs. The color of the pH indicator turned from green in the non-magnetized water to bluish in the magnetized water. More importantly, the drop of the indicator started dispersing more rapidly in the magnetized water when compared to non-magnetized water. It seems that magnetization of water enhances its ability to disperse water-soluble matter. This can have implications for applications ranging from the simplest like dissolution of salt or sugar in water to more complex applications like dispersion of pharmaceutically active ingredients. The basis for enhanced dispersion of water soluble compounds by magnetized water is not understood clearly. Although we used commercially available bottled drinking water for the experiment, it is likely that inorganic impurities present in water, under the influence of the magnetic field, could have also contributed to the change in properties of water.

Magnetization of water has been viewed skeptically by many chemists. There is premise for refuting the claims of magnetized water; the most commonly cited reason being water is not paramagnetic and therefore it cannot be magnetized. Furthermore, there is lack of sound scientific evidence and molecular mechanisms of the observed changes in the behavior of water under the influence of magnetic field are largely unknown. Most of the arguments against magnetization of water are based on the consideration that water exists in a pure form. For most practical purposes, the water that we use is highly unlikely to be 100 % pure. The water that we use in our day-to-day work has some impurities from other elements present in either solid, liquid or gaseous (air) form. The properties of water are therefore strictly not those of pure water; but they are representative of the combined properties of water and its micro environment. The micro environment of water includes the impurities and their interactions with water molecules. It also includes intermolecular bonding patterns between water molecules. How the micro environment shapes the properties of water molecules is explicitly exemplified in enzymatic reactions catalyzed in living systems. Depending on the nature of chemical groups surrounding water, it can either gain or lose a proton, altering its properties dramatically. Thus, magnetization might be perturbing the micro environment of the water, resulting in alteration of its properties. This change in properties of water have been shown to be beneficial in numerous fields. Further research is required to shed light on what component of water is affected and how this in turn causes the change in properties of water upon exposure to magnetic field. Once this component or components have been identified, it will aid in the much-needed standardization of the process of magnetization of water leading to consistent and uniform benefits. This would then be akin to how the same molecules of water exert different roles in the human body depending on its micro environment (surrounding components).

Pure water has a conductivity of 0.055 µS/cm. The most likely explanation for this is self-ionization, resulting in formation of ions. However, the number of ions in chemically pure water is very low. For most practical uses, including drinking, water is not chemically pure. As observed in the working principle of mass spectrophotometer, magnetic force field interacts with ions and deflects them based on the mass/charge ratio. Exposing water to magnetic field might be eliciting similar changes in the solvent; increasing the movement of ions/molecules or breaking up clusters. This may be altering the behavior of water when under the influence of the magnetic field. Thus, although water cannot be magnetized in the strictest sense, the properties of water can be perturbed in presence of magnetic field. Perhaps, use of the term - Water exposed to Magnetic Force Field (WeMFF) - could be more appropriate instead of ‘magnetized water’.

On finding aliens

One question that continues to intrigue human beings is - do aliens exist? Except for conjectures based on spotting of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) speculated to be flown by aliens, we currently do not seem to have a good answer or explanation for this question. So, humans continue to explore outer space for signs of new life forms and resources. We are hoping to prove the existence of aliens via either communicating with them, meeting them or capturing some evidence in audio-visual form to support the theory that aliens exist. Thus far, success has eluded us in this endeavor. Perhaps, it is time to tweak our approach towards discovering aliens.

Theories on origin of life on earth might provide clues in our quest for finding alien life forms. Many theories have been proposed to explain the origin of life on earth, including one postulating a supernatural power having created life on earth. Amongst other theories on origin of life, one interesting theory proposed by scientists posits that life was created on earth from elements that were present in the atmosphere of nascent earth. Phenomenon like lightening coupled with high temperatures, initiated a chemical reaction between inorganic molecules resulting in the formation of organic molecules like amino acids that are key components of our present-day make up of bodies. Similarly, other organic molecules like nucleotides, and sugars were synthesized and these started polymerizing using minerals present in clay as support. Once, the polymers evolved further and gained an ability to replicate themselves, life started in its most rudimentary form - anaerobic bacteria. Simulation of early earth-like atmospheric conditions seem to support this mode of origin of life. We are made up of the type of elements as we are today because these elements were the ones that were abundant in the earth’s atmosphere before life evolved. Nature took the ingredients available and created life by performing chemical reactions. This hypothesis on origin of life on earth, supported indirectly by many evidences, provides some insights into what life on other planets might be like. If at all life has evolved on other planets, it might be made from elements that are abundant in their atmospheres. And since each planet seems to have different atmospheric conditions, the life forms may not resemble the life we know of on earth.

Another aspect that may have hampered our ability to search for life on other planets, that needs to be taken into consideration, is the possibility that the alien life forms might be different in a way such that our current biological makeup with the five senses is unable to sense them un-aided. The limitations imposed by our biological make up is probably restricting us from finding life on other planets. In fact, this might have checked our progress from knowing existence of other life forms right here on earth. Our senses were created and put together with the resources available in nature with an emphasis on acquiring an ability to adapt to the conditions. Our eyes cannot see many other things out there because of the way they are constructed. Similarly, we hear only a small fraction of the sounds that are out there.

What this means is that if we want to look for alien life forms, we probably need to change our perspective on life; perhaps, change the definition of life. What if we were to define life as a form of energy? If we look at it in the literal sense, we do represent a pool of energy in the gamut of nature. We have potential energy; large reserves of chemical energy are stored in the chemical bonds that join the molecules of our body. We have kinetic and mechanical energies by virtue of our ability to move; we generate electromagnetic energy when cellular signals transverse the neurons in our brains and we create sound energy when we talk. These and other forms of energy are constantly undergoing transformations from one form into another. All the laws of energy are applicable to our bodies and life can be explained in terms of forms of energy and their patterns of transformations. Thus, if we define life as a form of energy, then, this concept of life can be conveniently extrapolated to our search for life on other planets.

A tell-tale sign of energy is its ability to change forms. What we need to look at on other planets is energy conversions, which are more likely to lead to success in our quest for discovering aliens or life forms on other planets. Similar to how life originated on earth, life on other planets is likely to be made from the ingredients available in the atmosphere of those planets currently or when that planet was formed. If we combine both these information - life is a form of energy that can undergo transformation and look for ingredients present on that planet that are either undergoing, creating or are associated with transformation of energy, we would be more likely to find life on other planets. Looking for evidence of energy transformations involving components present in the atmosphere of the planets; specifically, identification of patterns associated with these transformations is more likely to provide signatures and benign evidence for existence of new life-forms or aliens.

A hallmark of species living on earth is their ability to use chemical energy stored in the bonds of a compound called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) for performing processes necessary for survival, growth and reproduction. ATP is often referred to as the energy currency of living systems. Just like automobiles require gas (petrol) as fuel for running, all living systems known on earth so far require ATP as the source of energy for their functioning. While petroleum is a non-renewable source of energy, ATP can be produced perpetually by living systems as long they eat food. Thus, a signature of all living systems on earth that includes humans, plants, animals (land- as well as water-based) and microorganisms is the presence of ATP. We can identify living systems on earth by searching for ATP. Similarly, aliens or other life forms are likely to have a core currency for energy that sustains them. However, this energy currency could be different than ATP. The key to finding aliens resides in identifying this key compound or compounds that serve as a conduit of energy, a function that ATP performs efficiently in living systems known on earth.