The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) Researchers have shown that common minerals can be broken by water microdroplets to make corresponding nanoparticles. This is the first research paper from IIT Madras to be published in the prestigious 'Science' journal. Atmospheric water droplets such as clouds and fog can be charged due to ionic species present in them and by contact electrification. Disintegration of minerals makes nascent surfaces and on such surfaces, different types of catalysis may occur, forming new molecules. These processes could be important in the origin of life. The researchers say that 'microdroplet showers' composed of nanoparticles and molecules falling on Earth may be of importance to the chemical and biological evolution of the planet. Science is the peer-reviewed academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world's oldest and largest general science organisation.

Source- IITM officals