The first documentation of static electricity dates back to 600 BCE. Even after 2,600 years’ worth of tiny shocks, however, researchers couldn’t fully explain how rubbing two objects together ...

Through the years, scientists have been wondering why and how static electricity happens. The new study might have the answers why petting your cat leads to it.

Static electricity shock which occurs more often in winter is unpleasant. When two different objects are in repeated contact, it causes friction which then creates static electricity. This can be ...

Honeybees flying over a sensor measuring atmospheric voltage sparked a look into how insect-induced static electricity might affect the atmosphere.

"We've studied which plastic generates more energy and how when you structure it differently." Scientists develop game-changing technology that turns Styrofoam into electricity — here's how it ...

When their container tilts, the balls roll around and rub the two surfaces together. This builds up a static charge, which can be converted into electricity to power a battery.

But scientists have remained in the dark about many of the basics behind static electricity, particularly why rubbing often induces it—at least, perhaps, until now.

BILLERICA, Mass. — To understand what's being made at Static Clean International in Billerica, one needs to start with a science experiment. Chuck Dignan, the vice president of operations for ...

Could detecting static electricity be a factor in explaining why treehopper insects have evolved such bizarre body shapes?