  Molecular dynamics results on water confined in a silica pore in the low
hydration regime are presented. Strong layering effects are found due to the
hydrophilic character of the substrate. The local properties of water are
studied as function of both temperature and hydration level. The interaction of
the thin films of water with the silica atoms induces a strong distortion of
the hydrogen bond network. The residence time of the water molecules is
dependent on the distance from the surface. Its behavior shows a transition
from a brownian to a non-brownian regime approaching the substrate in agreement
with results found in studies of water at contact with globular proteins.
