Nature · 26 August 2026 · From issue 27

Spontaneously charged water drops induce corrosion

Charged water drops can break protective coatings and cause metal to rust.

Zhongyuan Ni, Xiaomei Li et al.

Water drops build up static electricity just by sliding across surfaces like glass or leaves. This charge can reach over 1,000 volts. When charged drops hit a coated metal surface, they can break down the coating and let the metal rust underneath.

The number 1,000 volts

The electric charge a water drop can build up just by sliding across a surface.

Lab tests only, real-world buildings and cars not measured yet.

Integrity screen: passed (3 checks) Checked 27 August 2026. Retraction record: none. DOI resolves at doi.org. Metadata record found (Nature). Read the source

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Gut disease shares the strongest genetic link with depression among four illness types studied.
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After diabetes starts, men get heart and kidney disease more, women get mental health problems more.
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In a lab test, electricity made droplets form, move, and dissolve nonstop without producing waste.
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In single-celled sea creatures, an eye-like part lost its food-making tool but may still sense light.
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