Hans-Jürgen Butt

Physicist and director at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research; lead author of the Nature study

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Last updated Sep 11, 2026

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Charged raindrops corrode coated metal, researchers find

New Capabilities

As of September 2026: Lead author of the study

Every seven years, workers repaint the Eiffel Tower by hand to keep rust from eating its iron. A new study identifies an overlooked culprit: raindrops that carry static charge until they strike a surface.

Updated Sep 11