Dry Water

Amaro BustamanteMeen 3344

26 October 2012

What it is

Dry water is simply a water droplet that has been encapsulated by a protective shell of self-assembled hydrophobic fumed silica

Dry water is up to 98% by weight water and yet still exhibits flow properties similar to a dry powder

However the water contained is easily released through mechanical stress or evaporation

(1)

Where has it beenDry water has been known since 1964 but little attention was brought to it until mid 1990s due to the rapid growth of the cosmetic industry where it was shown to have some uses. It wasn’t until recently that dry water is being observed again for the potential uses it has in the chemical industry

Within the cosmetic field it is used as a type of exfoliating cream since dry water already possesses two of the qualities that these type of creams needs. The particles that make up dry water are sheared onto the skin by rubbing and the water within is released which is more effective than just splashing on water and the powder creates a cool soothing effect on the skin

(2)

Two mixing processes can be used to produce dry water. One is a high shear process and the other is an atomization process.

The high shear process of blending it

Of course since it is just blending mass production is simple as long as the proper amounts are used to make adhesion happen. Also depending on the silica coating you can end up with a suspension(hydrophilic),a mousse(hydrophobic), or the powder(highly hydrophobic).

High Shear Process

uses

Dry water has shown an ease at absorbing gasses and forming hydrates. More specifically it has shown promise as being a effective medium for storing methane. That ability shows dry waters promise at being used as a future energy source or even for the simple use of gathering and transporting stranded natural gas deposits

(4)

(3)

(5)

references

(1)http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080903/full/news.2008.1077.html(2)http://www.lookfantastic.com/bareminerals-exfoliating-treatment- cleanser-70g/10586641.html

(3)http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/extinction_causes/Clathrate_gun_hypothesis(4)http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/415215

(5)http://www.energyboom.com/yes/eboom-capital-clean-tech-share-price- winnerwestport-innovations

I am missing two references I have to look them up again but here it is all done