Does anyone recall a fraudulent discovery by Russian? scientists about a new form of "thick or sticky" water?

Question

It made headlines in the 70's 80's or 90's and freaked everyone out . . but was later discovered to be dirt in the water. I would like to know what the fraud is called and how I can find more information about it.

Answer 1

It was called "polywater." It was supposed to be a polymerized form of water, but as you said, the experiments were flawed. I think the science writer Phillip Ball wrote a section about it in one of his books.

Answer 2

I think it was called polywater, and it might have been earlier than the 70's. You might also be interested in the novel "Cat's Cradle" by Kurt Vonnegut. In the novel, scientists discover a new crystalline form of water called "ice-9" that freezes at a higher temperature.

Answer 3

Never heard of stick or thick water but heavy water does exists. It's deuterium oxide - looks and feels like water but if you make ice cubes out of it, they will sink. It's just a different configuration of Hs and Os.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_water

Answer 4

if you mean 'heavy water' ...the scandal was that no one could replicate the experiment.....those guys were American. nope, drawing a blank here.

Answer 5

Do you mean heavy water?

Answer 6

i think you are referring to the heavy water"gate" scandal of 1989

http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?fr=ybr_sbc&p=heavy%20water%20scandal%201989%20dr%20stanley%20pons

try this