An international research consortium has unveiled a groundbreaking study in Nature Physics, definitively establishing that common ice exhibits the 'flexoelectric effect.' This phenomenon enables ice to generate electrical charges upon bending or deformation. This revelation sheds light on the underlying mechanism behind the electrification of ice particles during thunderstorms, a process that culminates in lightning strikes. It provides a fresh physical framework for understanding lightning formation. Moreover, the study uncovered that, under exceptionally frigid conditions, a delicate ferroelectric layer emerges on the ice's surface, boasting properties akin to those of titanium dioxide. This discovery broadens the horizon for ice's utilization in electronic materials. Researchers are optimistic that, in the not-too-distant future, ice-core electronic devices tailored for energy scavenging and sensing applications in low-temperature settings could be developed.