Scientists Discover Dielectron Charging of Water Nano-Droplet

Scientists have discovered fundamental steps of charging of nano-sized water droplets and unveiled the long-sought-after mechanism of hydrogen emission from irradiated water. Working together at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Tel Aviv University, scientists have discovered when the number of water molecules in a cluster exceeds 83, two excess electrons may attach to it -- forming dielectrons -- making it a doubly negatively charged nano droplet. Furthermore, the scientists found experimental and theoretical evidence that in droplets composed of 105 molecules or more, the excess dielectrons participate in a water-splitting process resulting in the liberation of molecular hydrogen and formation of two solvated hydroxide anions.