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. Nearly all our tools to prevent this—paints, polymer films, or oxide layers—are built around this idea. But we’ve apparently been missing something important about the rain.
A new study led by Zhongyuan Ni, Rüdiger Berger, and Hans-Jürgen Butt at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany, has shown that water drops routinely arrive at a surface carrying an electrical charge large enough to punch through an insulating coating. Not scratch it. Not slowly dissolve it. Electrically blow a hole in it, the way a spark jumps a gap.
Charged rain
The starting point of the study is a phenomenon called “slide electrification,” which has only been properly quantified in the past few years. When a water drop slides across an insulating surface like a leaf, a painted wall, a windowpane, or a plastic panel, it strips charge from that surface and leaves an opposing charge behind. The voltages involved are not trivial. Drops charged this way have been measured at up to 9,000 volts.
Tesla’s Cybercab has been deployed, and it’s already under investigation
September 5, 2026
The weird and wonderful headphones of CanJam 2026
September 5, 2026
iQOO போட்டான் பாரு.. 8400mAh பேட்டரி.. 100W சார்ஜிங்.. AMOLED டிஸ்பிளே.. 50MP கேமரா.. எந்த மாடல்?
September 5, 2026
OpenAI admits to German wiki ‘incident’
September 5, 2026
ஆர்டர் பிச்சிக்குது.. ரூ.1,300 ஆஃபர் ரேட்ல 7200mAh பேட்டரி.. 44W ஃபாஸ்ட் சார்ஜிங்.. 50MP கேமரா.. எந்த மாடல்?
September 5, 2026
Robotaxis enter their villain era
September 5, 2026
The Hindu Lit For Life Unplugged: Author and lawyer Xerxes Ranina discusses his book Who Owns What? and the legal right behind creative work
September 5, 2026
Of the importance of gut microbiome and the change they could create in life
September 5, 2026
BJP Leader Dinesh Sharma Appointed Andaman And Nicobar Islands' Lt Governor
September 5, 2026
Heavy Rains Trigger Waterlogging, Heavy Traffic In Key Delhi Areas
September 5, 2026
Over Saharanpur Mosque Demolition, Asaduddin Owaisi's 'Only Muslims' Remark
September 5, 2026
Pest Infestation, Expired Drinks Found At Bengaluru Hockey Club Kitchen
September 5, 2026