Im surprised they didn't mention the beam energy in the snippet, and unfortunately I can't get the full paper at the moment. I think Teflon is known to be particularly susceptible to radiation damage from gamma rays, which makes sense as that will produce recoil electrons inside the material.
yummypaint•6mo ago
westurner•6mo ago
>> "Gamma radiation is produced in large tropical thunderstorms" (2024)
>> "Gamma rays convert CH4 to complex organic molecules [like glycine,], may explain origin of life" (2024)
TIL that gamma radiation destroys Teflon. And lighting storms produce gamma radiation.
And that "Lightning on Earth is sparked by a powerful chain reaction from outer space, simulations show" (2025) https://www.livescience.com/physics-mathematics/lightning-on... :
"Photoelectric Effect in Air Explains Lightning Initiation and Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes" (2025) https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025JD04...