In what could be a useful trick for moving chemicals from one point to another, scientists at the University of Southern Denmark and Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague, Czech Republic have created a method to “move” liquids through an alcohol base. While that alone isn’t very cool, just look at the video above: in it you see a small droplet of colored water move towards two droplets of salt, navigating a paper maze on the way.
This system could have been the progenitor of biological life, said the researchers. From the release:
Martin Hanczyc has previously reported that oil droplets display a life-like moving behavior and may be a simple chemical predecessor to biological life.
The team believes that the method could help move lubricants from place to place in a complex machine or help deliver medicine, flavors, or coolant to small parts of a machine via circuitous routes. While this is definitely not “smart water,” you can think of it as an easier and more precise way to deliver these droplets to their appointed positions.
One thing, however, is certain: I, for one, welcome my wet, alcohol-soaked robotic overlords.