This is very cool.
A research team from Saudi Arabia has developed a new method for generating 3D images of flames when they’re exposed to electrical fields. When electrodes are placed on each side of a flame, an “ionic wind” is created—charged particles in the flame move toward the electrodes, and the behavior of a flame can change based on the voltage and current applied to the electrodes. To track the ionic wind, the researchers trained a special argon laser on a flame, added reflective particles to the fire, and then tracked the light that bounced back.
Behold a Flame’s Mesmerizing Ionic Wind
Fire scientists can now create 3D images of the behavior of flames in certain conditions.
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Note that a less controlled but also quite interesting demonstration of this is putting a birthday candle in your microwave and turning it on. Electromagnetic waves and flames interact in exciting ways. I would advise not doing this in a microwave you care deeply about.