Improving chemical reactions in fields from oil refining to battery life depends on understanding the chemistry of acids and bases. Researchers recently discovered that when a strong acid such as hydrochloric acid is mixed with water, the negatively charged anion and positively charged cation remain close and create an unexpected structure, suggesting a template for linking structure with function. The connection can help scientists develop a deeper understanding of the most basic concepts in chemistry and provide foundational information for use in battery applications.