Overview

• Researchers report September 29 in PNAS that methane–air microbubbles in water can generate measurable electrical discharges.
• A 3-D–printed nozzle produced very small, densely packed bubbles, while a photon counter and high-speed camera detected otherwise invisible flashes.
• Visible zaps appeared only when bubbles were both tiny and crowded, with photon counts rising and the water warming during methane–air runs.
• Experts caution the lab setup differs from open swamps and note few modern sightings, so the proposed link to will-o’-the-wisps remains unproven.
• The work builds on prior droplet studies and hints at potential uses for microlightning to drive chemical reactions or help break down pollutant gases.