Sticky Tape Produces X-Rays

http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/36357

You may have noted the effect of triboluminescence, in which peeled tape emits visible light.

In a vacuum, it also would appear to emit x-rays.

As the tape peels the acrylic adhesive on the exposed tape becomes positively charged and the outer surface of the remaining polyethylene roll acquires a negative charge. This causes electric fields to build up to values that trigger discharges.

At the reduced pressure in the experiment--about one millionth of an atmosphere--the discharges accelerate the electrons to energies that generate X–rays when they suddenly decelerate in the positive side of the tape.

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