Contact electrification

In the late 18th century, scientists developed sensitive instruments for detecting 'electrification', otherwise known as electrostatic charge imbalance. The phenomenon of electrification by contact, or contact electrification, was quickly discovered. When two objects were touched together, sometimes the objects became spontaneously charged. One object developed a net negative charge, while the other developed an equal and opposite positive charge.

Related Topics:
18th century - Electrostatic charge imbalance

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Contact electrification phenomenon allowed the construction of so-called 'frictional' electrostatic generators such as Ramsden's or Winter's machines, but it also led directly to the development of most modern electrical technology such as batteries, fuel cells, electroplating, thermocouples, and semiconductor junction devices including radio detector diodes, photocells, LEDs, and thermoelectric cells.

Related Topics:
Batteries - Fuel cell - Electroplating - Thermocouple - Radio detector diodes - Photocell - LED - Thermoelectric cell

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