This town talk will be presented by Matthias Heyden, Arizona State University.

Water is far more than a refreshing drink — its unique molecular properties make life possible. By forming a dynamic network of weak chemical bonds, water acts as both a selective solvent and a kind of molecular lubricant, driving the assembly of cells and keeping the tiny protein machines inside them flexible and in constant motion. Understanding the role water plays in the generation of these vibrations is one of the great frontiers of modern science, with real-world implications for greener industrial chemistry and smarter, safer drug design.