Energetic particle shower in the vapor from electrolysis

Approximately 40,000 energetic charged particles were recorded in a pair of plastic detector chips suspended in the vapor over an active electrolysis cell. Particle track locations and orientations were revealed by examining the etch pits produced by chemical etching. Analysis of track orientations indicates that the shower originated in a compact source in the vapor between the chips. The total magnitude of the shower is estimated to have been 150,000 particles and its duration is estimated to have been a few seconds. A previously unknown type of nuclear reaction is indicated.