Making mini-lightning in a block of plastic
Phys.org
March 5, 2026
Lightning formation and the conditions triggering it have long been shrouded in a cloud of mystery, but new research led by Penn State scientists is lifting the fog. Using mathematical calculations, the researchers have discovered that lightning-like discharge doesn't require a storm cloud—it could be made inside everyday material on a lab bench. The study is published in the journal Physical Review Letters.
Verticals
sciencephysics
Originally published on Phys.org on 3/5/2026