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Raindrops Carry Electrical Charges, Study Finds
Confirmed
In Short: Raindrops are not just water but tiny lightning bolts, according to a new study that could explain why they corrode cars.
Raindrops are not just water but tiny lightning bolts, according to a new study that could explain why they corrode cars. The research, led by scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany, found that water drops routinely arrive at a surface carrying an electrical charge large enough to punch through an insulating coating. This phenomenon, known as 'slide electrification,' has only been properly quantified in the past few years, as noted by Ars Technica. The study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, suggests that the constant drumming of raindrops, carrying these electrical charges, can abrade protective coatings and allow oxygen to cause corrosion.
The study's findings could have significant implications for industries dealing with corrosion, such as automotive and construction. 'When such charged droplets strike a coating, they discharge locally and can puncture the layer in specific spots like a small flash of lightning — with consequences for the coating's durability,' explained a researcher in a statement to Science Daily. This electrical charge, combined with the abrasion from the rain, can lead to faster corrosion of surfaces.
Previous explanations for why rain causes corrosion have focused on the presence of dissolved salts and acids, as well as the constant drumming of raindrops abrading protective coatings. However, the new study provides a more detailed understanding of the role of electrical charges in this process. The research team used a technique called intracellular recording to measure the electrical responses of individual photoreceptors in insects, which helped them understand the underlying mechanisms.
The study's findings could lead to new strategies for protecting surfaces from corrosion, potentially through the development of coatings that can better withstand the electrical charges carried by raindrops. As the researchers noted, 'The standard explanation for why rain causes corrosion is that water carries dissolved salts and acids to a surface, constant drumming of raindrops abrades whatever protective coating is on it, and oxygen does the rest.' This new understanding could change how we approach corrosion protection in the future.
What's confirmed
- Raindrops are not just water but tiny lightning bolts, according to a new study that could explain why they corrode cars. The research, led by scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany, found that water drops routinely arrive at a surface carrying an electrical charge large enough to punch through an insulating coating. This phenomenon, known as 'slide electrification,' has only been properly quantified in the past few years, as noted by Ars Technica. The study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, suggests that the constant drumming of raindrops, carrying these electrical charges, can abrade protective coatings and allow oxygen to cause corrosion.
- The study's findings could have significant implications for industries dealing with corrosion, such as automotive and construction. 'When such charged droplets strike a coating, they discharge locally and can puncture the layer in specific spots like a small flash of lightning — with consequences for the coating's durability,' explained a researcher in a statement to Science Daily. This electrical charge, combined with the abrasion from the rain, can lead to faster corrosion of surfaces.
- Previous explanations for why rain causes corrosion have focused on the presence of dissolved salts and acids, as well as the constant drumming of raindrops abrading protective coatings. However, the new study provides a more detailed understanding of the role of electrical charges in this process. The research team used a technique called intracellular recording to measure the electrical responses of individual photoreceptors in insects, which helped them understand the underlying mechanisms.
- The study's findings could lead to new strategies for protecting surfaces from corrosion, potentially through the development of coatings that can better withstand the electrical charges carried by raindrops. As the researchers noted, 'The standard explanation for why rain causes corrosion is that water carries dissolved salts and acids to a surface, constant drumming of raindrops abrades whatever protective coating is on it, and oxygen does the rest.' This new understanding could change how we approach corrosion protection in the future.
What's still developing
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