In medieval times and throughout the Renaissance, the fascination with alchemy was widespread; the idea that you could potentially take something like iron and turn it into gold or take water and turn it into wine was a popular notion.
Alchemy was akin to magic, and it had our ancestors absolutely transfixed by its transmutative potential.
However, over the centuries, alchemy itself has changed into something else. It has evolved from its mystical origins of perceived sorcery into solid empirical science. The ‘first physicist’ Sir Isaac Newton, and the ‘father of chemistry’ Robert Boyle, were both considered alchemists before being recognised for what they were – the pioneers of the Scientific Revolution.
Of course, today, we understand that turning base metal into gold is impossible, but we can appreciate alchemy as the precursor to what we know today as the established and respected scientific field of chemistry.
Modern Day Alchemy
Alchemy has influenced modern scientific thought for centuries, and its impact can be seen particularly throughout the fields of medicine, pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, and of course, chemistry. The obsession with taking one thing and turning it into another is the foundation of some of science’s breakthrough discoveries.
Chemistry, in short, is the study of the elements and compounds that make up matter, including how they interact, combine, and change; essentially, chemistry looks at how chemical processes alter matter or form new substances, which is the very core of alchemy.
Ionisation and the Power of Change
One of the ways in which we see the evolution of alchemy into contemporary, real-world science applications is through the process of ionisation.
In the scientific fields of chemistry and physics, ionisation, like alchemy, changes one thing into something else at a chemical level. Ionisation converts (or changes) electrically neutral atoms or molecules (ions) into electrically charged atoms or molecules. To do this, the ionisation process uses an electrical current to modify the properties of the ions.
One of the most practical ways that we can benefit from this transformative process in our own homes is through water ionisation.
The Relationship Between Water and its pH Level
Ionised water is water with dissolved mineralised ions, almost all water. For example, tap water is considered ionised with a pH (‘power of hydrogen’) level of about 7. By using a water ioniser, however, the pH level of this tap water is altered, which in turn improves its effectiveness for various uses, such as cooking and cleaning.
A water ioniser, such as the newly launched HomePure Viva water ioniser and filter, uses electricity (through the process of electrolysis) to separate the dissolved ions in the water, resulting in water that is either acidic, which has a low pH level (a low ‘power of hydrogen’), or alkaline (also called ‘basic’), meaning a high pH level or a high ‘power of hydrogen’ level.
How does it do this? Inside a water ioniser, there is a negative electrode (cathode) and a positive electrode (anode).
During electrolysis, ions in water are pulled to either the negative electrode to create alkaline water or to the positive electrode, creating acidic water.
Not magic, just science!
Get More Out of Your Water
Drinking alkaline water at about pH 8-9.5 can provide many health benefits, making it an ideal therapeutic water for daily drinking. The level of dissolved hydrogen particles in this type of water makes it the world’s healthiest drinking water.
But it’s not just about the water we drink, although that is important. Ionisation can change pH levels in water to make it specific for various tasks around the home. For example, with a change in levels to about pH 9.8-11, alkaline water is extremely effective for cooking, food preparation, and making tea and coffee, as it enhances the natural flavours of food.
Meanwhile, acidic water of about pH 2.7-6.5 has properties that make it very effective for disinfecting and cleaning while cutting down harsh cleaning chemicals. When acidic water is at about pH 5.5-6, it is ideal for personal hygiene habits, such as brushing teeth and washing and toning the face.
HomePure Viva Water Ioniser and Filter
QNET’s HomePure Viva water ioniser and filter, which can be attached to the kitchen tap and utilises electrolysis to ionise tap water in your home. What’s more, the HomePure Viva also filters your water before electrolysis takes place.
This means that tap water can be customised to the task at hand, giving you and your family access to pH-balanced water optimised for whatever you’re doing, whether drinking, cleaning, cooking, or washing.
With a full-colour LCD touchscreen, multilingual audio guide in eight languages, and 11 pre-set smart modes for 11 types of pH-balanced water, HomePure Viva offers a convenient and easy-to-use way to get the most out of your water.
HomePure Viva has been tested and certified by the Korea Conformity Laboratory, South Korea, for water purification performance and has received TUV certification for electronics appliances (CE Certification).