// Science · Glossary

Triboelectric Trichome Charge

⚗️ Science First mentioned: Ep. 197

The discovery that cannabis trichome crystals carry an inherent electrical charge, which can be exploited for electrostatic separation. This property allows trichome heads to be attracted or repelled by charged surfaces, enabling purer dry sift without water or solvents.

Alex Martinenko (30 years in electrostatics research) and Charles McGowen made this 'major discovery' about two years before the episode. Stainless steel screens have been used since the late 1980s for dry sift, but electrostatic methods offer a new dimension of separation. Skunkman Sam was doing static sift as early as 1988.

Ep. 197 Hash Church 197