  We establish that the nonlinear dynamics of collisions between particles
favors the charging of a insulating, friable, self-replicating granular
material that undergoes nucleation, growth, and fission processes; we
demonstrate with a minimal dynamical model that secondary nucleation produces a
positive feedback in an electrification mechanism that leads to runaway
charging. We discuss ice as an example of such a self-replicating granular
material: We confirm with laboratory experiments in which we grow ice from the
vapor phase in situ within an environmental scanning electron microscope that
charging causes fast-growing and easily breakable palm-like structures to form,
which when broken off may form secondary nuclei. We propose that thunderstorms,
both terrestrial and on other planets, and lightning in the solar nebula are
instances of such runaway charging arising from this nonlinear dynamics in
self-replicating granular matter.

Soft Condensed Matter;Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems;Geophysics