– Pure water conducts electricity due to impurities dissolving into free ion
– Water becomes metallic at extremely high pressure
– High pressures are not the only factor that can induce metallicity in pure water
– By bringing pure water into contact with an electron-sharing alkali metal, free-moving charged particles can be added
– The resulting conductivity only lasts a few seconds, but it's a significant step towards understanding this phase of water directly
– Alkali metals are highly reactive with liquid water, but adding water to the metal can turn it conductive
– This research could allow for close study of extreme high-pressure conditions inside large planets.