Cooling of Pure Water at Room Temperature by Weak Electric Currents

Flow of electrical current through water is expected to increase water temperature. We passed low-frequency alternating electric current through distilled, deionized water using platinum electrodes and found, instead, a diminution of temperature. The diminution was observed using both an infrared camera and a spectroradiometer, the latter allowing us to obtain spectral information. The diminished temperature persisted for at least half an hour following cessation of the current flow. Diminished radiant energy implies reduced charge displacements, which in turn implies increased structural order. Hence, the passage of charge into water appears to increase the water structure.