Deliquesenssi

Deliquesenssi is a coined term used in certain strands of materials science and speculative fiction to describe a mode of moisture-induced phase change in which a solid, upon exposure to ambient humidity, forms a continuous, mobile liquid phase. Unlike ordinary deliquescence, which yields a brine that forms and remains at equilibrium, deliquesenssi connotes a sustained liquid connectivity that can wet and traverse surfaces, dissolve soluble components, and redistribute material over time. The term is not part of standard chemical nomenclature and is mainly encountered in worldbuilding and exploratory models rather than peer-reviewed practice.

Etymology: The term blends the base deliquesce with a stylized suffix -ssi to denote a systemic state; it derives from the Latin deliquescere meaning to melt away and is a neologism used primarily in fictional and speculative contexts.

Mechanism: Proponents describe a material reaching a critical relative humidity where water uptake triggers a reorganization of the solid’s microstructure into a percolating liquid network. The resulting phase is less volatile than pure solvent, with a viscosity range that allows wetting of neighboring surfaces and the dissolution and transport of dissolved species. Temperature, particle size, porosity, and impurities influence the humidity threshold, film formation, and mobility of the liquid.

Context and usage: In fiction, deliquesenssi explains phenomena such as moisture-activated adhesives, self-healing coatings, or corrosion patterns that require a persistent surface liquid. In real science, the established concept remains deliquescence, and deliquesenssi is treated as a speculative extension or fictional device; there is no broad consensus on its definition or measurement.

See also: deliquescence, hygroscopy.