The behavior of water has fascinated scientists for centuries. While we’re all familiar with its flow and movement, what happens when water is confined and unable to move? For the longest time, researchers were unsure how water interacts with the molecules it’s trapped between, especially when it’s in such tight spaces that it can’t flow or shift.

Now, a team of chemists led by Frank Biedermann, at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany, has uncovered a striking discovery: even immobilized water is highly energetic, and its energy can be harnessed to strengthen molecular bonds. This finding could have a major impact on both the field of chemistry and on practical applications, such as drug development and material science.

More Than Just Immobilized Liquid

Water is not just a passive substance. When confined between molecules, it behaves differently from the free-flowing liquid we encounter daily. According to Biedermann’s team, water trapped in tight spaces retains significant amounts of energy.

In their study, the researchers used computer simulations to explore how water behaves when displaced by other molecules. They found that when another molecule enters and pushes the water out, the energy from the water’s release is powerful enough to strengthen the bond between the new molecule and its surrounding environment.

Models Of The Cucurbit[8]uril (cb8) Host Molecule Studied Here. All Are Treated As Rigid.Models of the cucurbit[8]uril (CB8) host molecule studied here. All are treated as rigid – © Angewandte Chemie International Edition

This process is similar to a crowded subway car. At rush hour, the passengers (representing the trapped water molecules) are stuck in place, eager to leave. Once the doors open, the passengers rush out, creating space for others to squeeze in.

This influx of energy from the departing group encourages the new arrivals to push in with more force, and the process strengthens their connection to the empty space. In the case of the trapped water, this energy can facilitate stronger bonds between molecules, depending on the chemical nature of the substances involved.

Stronger Medications Through Water’s Energy

One of the most exciting implications of this discovery is its potential to improve the effectiveness of medications. Water molecules are often found trapped between proteins in drugs, and this immobilized water can influence how the drug interacts with the body. According to the researchers, by understanding how the release of energy from trapped water strengthens molecular bonds, scientists could design drugs that more effectively target specific proteins, reports Popular Mechanics.

For example, if a drug contains proteins with water trapped between them, researchers could engineer the drug to displace that water. The energy released would then serve to create stronger bonds between the molecules, improving the drug’s ability to bind with its target. This could lead to more efficient medications with enhanced therapeutic effects, offering a significant breakthrough in pharmaceutical science.

A New Approach to Material Science

Beyond pharmaceuticals, Biedermann’s findings could have broad applications in material science. The ability to manipulate the energy trapped in water could allow for the development of stronger, more resilient materials. Whether for construction, electronics, or even nanotechnology, the potential to harness this “highly energetic” water could lead to the creation of materials that are more durable and efficient.

Researchers suggest that this principle could be applied to a wide range of macromolecular host molecules, not just those used in drugs. This could include everything from new materials for everyday use to complex systems in scientific research. The concept of using trapped water’s energy to improve molecular interactions could revolutionize how we approach the creation and design of materials, offering new solutions to long-standing challenges in science and engineering.