A lightning foundry is a type of facility where electricity is harnessed from lightning strikes to create metal alloys. The process begins by suspending a large metal rod in the air, which acts as a conductor for the electrical current. When a lightning bolt hits the rod, it transfers its energy to the surrounding environment, heating up the air and melting any metals that are in contact with the conductor. This liquid metal is then poured into molds to create various shapes and sizes of alloy.
The benefits of using lightning to create metal alloys are twofold. First, it is a renewable source of energy that can be harnessed indefinitely. Second, the high temperatures generated by lightning strikes can produce alloys that have unique properties not possible through other methods. For example, one alloy created at a lightning foundry contains metals that are completely resistant to corrosion – an important quality for many industrial applications.
While there are only a handful of commercial Lightning Foundries in operation today, their numbers are growing as more companies become interested in this sustainable and environmentally-friendly method of alloy production.