[m463]

> I'm not really sure whether to even call it evaporation

I can't help but think of ultrasonic humidifiers/misters, which use vibration to do evaporation-adjacent kinds of things.

I also wonder if specific wavelengths of light are involved (sort of how 2.4ghz microwaves work on water)

[grishka]

Water particles produced by an ultrasonic humidifier are larger than those of real steam. I know it because I have one and if I run it for long enough, everything gets covered in a nasty white residue, probably salts from the water. Real evaporation doesn't do that.

[ponyboy123]

I think the difference is that evaporation creates water vapor, whereas an ultrasonic dehumidifier is creating water droplets, some of which are very small, but are still droplets that can carry minerals from the water

[tjmc]

Most datacentres ban the use of ultrasonic humidifiers for exactly this reason.

[jordan_curve]

isn't it generally recommended to use distilled water in these humidifiers for exactly this reason?

[Modified3019]

Yep, both the minerals, and the microorganisms breeding in the water get thrown into the air.

For constant use, I personally recommend "evaporation humidifiers" that use a wick and fan to induce evaporation. The wick will need to be replaced every several weeks.

[dr_dshiv]

Cue “burning” salt water video: https://youtu.be/e8utkoK2DhA?si=t2cvuu4V-hFKFjM8

I’m still blown away that radio frequencies can dissociate hydrogen without an electrode. I haven’t read a good explanation of the phenomenon.

[sheepscreek]

Ever heard of a Plasma gun? Or pressurized water cutting? Heck Lasers do the same thing.

In every case, it’s really a collision between different particles at various energy levels, leading to different results.

Take an extremely fast neutron and collide it with an atom, and you could alter the chemical composition of the atom/end up with a different element (basic principle of breeder reactors). Fascinating stuff.

[_nalply]

I wonder how strong the radiation was. If strong enough it dissociates and then by burning it gives back the energy... Looks like a fake perpetuum mobile...

[dr_dshiv]

Yeah, obviously strong enough to make the energy balance. But still awesome.

[_nalply]

Yes it's awesomeness reminds me of the Tcherenkoff light I once saw with my own eyes. It was a deep pool of a test reactor and I even asked the guide if I am allowed to put my index finger into the water. It was warm. I looked long and deep at the fascinating white-blue light in the water.

It is so awesome that no public relations work is needed. The thing speaks for itself and is so convincing.

[araes]

I suspect you're correct, at least partially.

My personal suspicion is that the light waves are hitting the extremely diffuse binder material and then ejecting the water light a billiard ball or a solar sail effect. It may have a resonance (vibration) with the binder structure. See below image for example of binder material.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Short-pe...

[sheepscreek]

This was also my first thought! And they seem to cool the air nearby. The above explanation makes sense (where bonds are broken in the air).