The nominating institution National University of Singapore on the breakthrough:
Static charge is ubiquitous, and causes a lot of problems. It reduces the efficiency of manufacturing processes, damages equipment, causes explosions, and allows particles to stick onto surfaces easily (e.g., dust on screens). As such, it influences almost all types of industries and our daily lives. The only common method used currently to eliminate static is to use conductive materials. However, most things in the world are nonconductive; hence, this method is not effective.
Tags: Engineering, Production and manufacturing, everyday items.