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'Kryptonite' Discovered in Serbian Mine

Posted by Zonk on from the okay-now-nobody-find-the-red-kryptonite-and-we're-fine dept.

Rubinstien writes "A mineralogist at London's Natural History Museum was contracted to help identify an unknown mineral found in a Serbian mine. While he initially thought the miners had discovered a unique compound, after its crystal structure was analyzed and identified the researcher was shocked to find the material already referenced in literature. Fictional literature. Dr. Chris Stanley, from the BBC article: 'Towards the end of my research I searched the web using the mineral's chemical formula — sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide — and was amazed to discover that same scientific name, written on a case of rock containing kryptonite stolen by Lex Luthor from a museum in the film Superman Returns ... I'm afraid it's not green and it doesn't glow either — although it will react to ultraviolet light by fluorescing a pinkish-orange.'"

66 of 272 comments (clear)

  1. The plan is almost complete! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Step 2: Send email to Superman
    Step 3: Build wheelchair ramp ...
    Step 4: Rule the world!

  2. Time to rename the Serbian mine? by Iphtashu+Fitz · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... to the Fortress of Solitude?

    1. Re:Time to rename the Serbian mine? by Woldry · · Score: 2, Informative

      Actually, the Silver Age Fortress of Solitude contained samples of every kind of kryptonite -- green, white, gold, and red -- in lead boxes. These samples figured prominently in several stories (including quite a few of the "imaginary story" variety). Yeah, I'm older than dirt ...

      --
      How can a post be modded "overrated" or "underrated" when it hasn't been rated yet?
  3. So... by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Kryptonite doesn't contain Krypton? W..t..f?

    1. Re:So... by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 5, Funny

      Just as long as you don't add "tar" to the formula...

      --
      Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
    2. Re:So... by Stooshie · · Score: 3, Informative

      Technically, Kryptonite should be an oxide of Krypton (given the -ite extension). However, Kryptonite is one of then most unreactive elements in the periodic table and it is very unlikely that it exists in nature at all.

      --
      America, Home of the Brave. ... .and the Squaw.
    3. Re:So... by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 3, Funny

      Superman could oxidize Krypton with his laser eyes.

    4. Re:So... by SixFactor · · Score: 5, Funny

      Oh yeah? Well, Chuck Norris can create a thicker oxide layer with a well-placed roundhouse kick. :D

      --
      Science never settles, never rests.
    5. Re:So... by Red+Flayer · · Score: 4, Informative

      So hardystonite (calcium zinc silicate) is an oxide of hemate?
      And melanophlogite (SiO2 + organics) is an oxide of melanophlog?
      How about hematite (iron oxide)? Shouldn't that be ferrite?

      Minerals tend to not conform to SI naming conventions for compounds.

      --
      "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
    6. Re:So... by Hognoxious · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Kryptonite is one of then most unreactive elements in the periodic table
      Funny, I can't seem to find it. What's its atomic number?
      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    7. Re:So... by Rob+the+Bold · · Score: 2, Funny

      But it does apparently contain Jadar.

      So, in Serbian mines, Jadar contains kryptonite.

      --
      I am not a crackpot.
    8. Re:So... by QuickFox · · Score: 2, Informative

      It's krypton that is one of the most unreactive elements. Kryptonite would be a krypton oxide.

      --
      Terrorists can't threaten a country's freedom and democracy. Only lawmakers and voters can do that.
    9. Re:So... by jaavaaguru · · Score: 2, Funny

      So, in Serbian mines, Jadar contains kryptonite.

      That would read better as:

                "In Socialist Serbia, Jadar contains Kyyptonite"

      (AFAIK, Serbia was never a Soviet state, but was allied with Russia)
      --
      Follow me
    10. Re:So... by Bloke+down+the+pub · · Score: 5, Funny

      What if you oxidise Sh?

      --
      It's true I tell you, feller at work's next door neighbour read it in the paper.
    11. Re:So... by Skrynkelberg · · Score: 2, Insightful

      He means Krypton. It's number 36, and is a noble gas, and therefore very unreactive. Kryptonite is therefore very unlikely to exist (you haven't ever heard of "heliumite" or "neonite", have you?).

    12. Re:So... by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 3, Funny

      "Oh yeah? Well, Chuck Norris can create a thicker oxide layer with a well-placed roundhouse kick. :D"

      Oh yeah? Well, Vin Diesel could pronounce Kryptonite.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    13. Re:So... by EvanED · · Score: 2, Funny

      Only on /. would "Chuck Norris can create a thicker oxide layer with a well-placed roundhouse kick" get modded "insightful".

      Actually I'm sure that's not true.

    14. Re:So... by bheekling · · Score: 5, Funny

      Shi-ite?

      --
      "..."
    15. Re:So... by The+Great+Pretender · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Minerals are named according to convention just not a modern one, or organized one - well convention may be pushing it, but most are named for a reason not a random collection of letters. The hema- in hematite is derived from Greek for blood (haima), both are red in color, both contain iron as a principal component. I mean why not just call it ironite? Anyway, I'm just trying to argumentative.

      --
      A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
    16. Re:So... by TommydCat · · Score: 3, Funny
      Oh yeah? Well, Vin Diesel could pronounce Kryptonite.

      I can imagine that Vin's repertoire of movies is indeed quite toxic to Superman, as well as the average viewer...

      --
      This comment does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the author.
    17. Re:So... by IllForgetMyNickSoonA · · Score: 2, Informative

      Being a socialist state (actually, Serbia was one of the republics of the "Socialistic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia", which in turn pretended to be socialistic) does not mean you need to be a Soviet state. ;-)

      Actually, Yugoslavia, and thus also Serbia, had a rather strained relationship with the USSR, especially as long as the Stalin was in charge. Yugoslavia was a "block-free" state, belonging neither to NATO nor to the Warshaw Pakt, yet keeping rather good connections to both west as well as east (starting some time after Stalin died).

    18. Re:So... by Monkey · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Like the mighty giant sequoia, Chuck Norris does not get "old". He just gets bigger and tougher.

  4. Excitingly unexciting by tttonyyy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Summary

    Exciting: Contains same elements as described in fictional cartoon

    Unexciting: Superman could use it as a paperweight without feeling like he's dying of man-flu

    --
    biopowered.co.uk - catalytically cracking triglycerides for home automotive use since 2008. Just say no to big oil!
    1. Re:Excitingly unexciting by QuickFox · · Score: 5, Funny

      superman doesn't exist How do you know? Do you have proof?
      --
      Terrorists can't threaten a country's freedom and democracy. Only lawmakers and voters can do that.
  5. No wonder by CSHARP123 · · Score: 4, Funny

    No wonder all my super powers are gone.

    1. Re:No wonder by blake3737 · · Score: 2, Funny

      you and me both buddy.
      ~Batman

      PS. Have you seen any of my equipment? I sent it to "funny Man cleaners" and still haven't gotten it back yet. im going batshit crazy trying to reach them on the batcellphone, but their line just has some message with some guy laughing maniacally and talking about the end of batm.... I gotta go.

  6. Really Kryptonite? by ATestR · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's been a while since I've seen the movie, but the question that comes to my mind is: "Was the box in superman Returns correctly labeled?". Perhaps it was only labeled sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide, but someone had mistakenly identified the kryptonite as that substance. After all, why would Lex Luther steal a box containing white powdery substance... oh, wait, never mind.

    --
    âoeAny society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
    1. Re:Really Kryptonite? by Oktober+Sunset · · Score: 5, Informative

      Well, in the film, they come in and they check them all with that thingy (preusably some radiation detecting widget) and saw that the sample had a chunk of kryptonite hidden inside it so they had idenified the soft creamy outer substance as sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide, but they had not analysed the crunchy centre of tasty kryptonite. Soooo, they haven't found kyrptonite, just some crap that kryptonite was once found in the middle of. Form superman 3, the chemical composition for the Kryptonite that Richard Pryor's computer screen reads is Plutonium: 15.08% Tatalum: 18.06% Xenon: 27.71% Promethium: 24.02% Dialium: 10.62% Mercury: 3.94% Unknown: 0.57%. The 'Unknown' was later worked out by Luthor.

      --
      What if Tetris was invented by Nazis?
  7. duh by Dance_Dance_Karnov · · Score: 4, Funny

    of course it doesn't glow or kill superman, it wasn't effected by either the destruction of krypton or a trip through space. What exactly do they pay these so called scientists for anyway?

    1. Re:duh by OnyxNoir · · Score: 2, Funny

      disagree. this compound has not been tested on Superman, therefore, we cannot seriously say it cannot kill him.

      "Pocket-protected scientists dove a car made of pure Kryptonite at a wall composed entirely of superman.."

    2. Re:duh by Reality+Master+101 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      What was super about him was his ability to still contribute to society as a quadriplegic.

      Well, he was a quadraplegic with a lot of money who wanted to be cured, and thus spent a lot of money on himself. That's not as high on the respect-o-meter as someone who does things without a personal stake.

      --
      Sometimes it's best to just let stupid people be stupid.
  8. Beware! by Billosaur · · Score: 5, Funny

    Instead, it will be formally named Jadarite when it is described in the European Journal of Mineralogy later this year.

    And somewhere on Earth, in an unknown fortress, a stranger from planet Jadar knows fear...

    --
    GetOuttaMySpace - The Anti-Social Network
  9. "Superman could use it as a paperweight" by iainl · · Score: 5, Insightful

    That's what I didn't get in the story. In DC continuity, Kryptonite is just fine to handle if you're only human. So how have these scientists established that it wouldn't hurt a fictional alien?

    --
    "I Know You Are But What Am I?"
    1. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by ScrewMaster · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's the greenish glow. It's all about the glow.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    2. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 2, Funny

      Again, how do they know?

      Because the scientist used it to hold down his stack of Superman comics...

      --
      This guy's the limit!
    3. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by Tanuki64 · · Score: 2, Informative

      But in the comics, long-term exposure can result in a painful death.
      Statements like that does not make much sense when you don't add the version of the continuity you speak of. Kryptonite was initially harmless for normal humans. In a later continuity long-term exposure caused cancer. What it does now, after the second crisis to humans... Noone knows yet.
    4. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Until we test it on the fictional alien, I guess we'll never know. Knowing academia, though, and the propensity for grad students (and even older researchers) to engage in silly fads, it wouldn't surprise me if someone did a paper or article on it. As a great scholar once said, you can write your thesis on Gameboy if you can bullshit well enough.

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    5. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by Minwee · · Score: 5, Funny

      Unless of course it is really Red Kryptonite or Blue Kryptonite or even the Pink Kryptonite that has the power to turn Superman gay.

      Then it wouldn't have to glow green.

    6. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by Stupidfat · · Score: 5, Funny

      Before commenting, please RTFA. I quote:

      "mineral blah blah kryptonite blah blah blah they know it is kryptonite because a GIANT FUCKING SEMITRANSPARENT HEAD APPEARED IN THE CAVE AND TOLD THEM IT WAS"

    7. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by profzoom · · Score: 2, Informative

      Here's some specific examples of kryptonite affecting humans:

      In Post-Crisis continuity (basically, between John Byrne's 1986 Man of Steel miniseries and either Mark Waid's Birthright a few years back or last year's Infinite Crisis, the dividing line still isn't clear), long-term exposure causes cancer, as mentioned above. Lex Luthor fashioned himself a ring of kryptonite to keep Superman at bay, but he ended up losing his hand, and eventually faked his own death and cloned a new body for himself as a result of it.

      In Smallville continuity, kryptonite exposure can cause humans to manifest powers, as seen by the show's regular "freaks of the week".

    8. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by Kjella · · Score: 5, Informative

      I thought the parent was joking. But no, accoring to wikipedia:
      "Pink Kryptonite
      From an alternate timeline in a 2003 Supergirl storyline by Peter David, this bizarre variety of Kryptonite apparently turned heterosexual Kryptonians temporarily into homosexuals; it was seen in just one panel, with Superman giving flattering compliments to Jimmy Olsen about his wardrobe and decorative sense. It spoofs the more "innocent times" of the Silver Age (Lois Lane is depicted in this story as not understanding what's gotten into Superman)."

      So from the sound of it (there's no orange kryptonite): "although it will react to ultraviolet light by fluorescing a pinkish-orange" they have in fact, found the substance to make superman gay. Then again, the bodysuit is rather gay to begin with... or then again maybe it's just superhero fashion, he's hardly the only one.

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    9. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by Smidge204 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Mostly Harmless.

      =Smidge=

    10. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by allanc · · Score: 2, Informative

      The Glow is also what you need to defeat Sho'Nuff, the Shogun of Harlem.

      (It's very useful)

    11. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      "Lois Lane is depicted in this story as not understanding what's gotten into Superman"

      Jimmy Olsen, obviously.

  10. Apparently no one reads..... by SQLGuru · · Score: 5, Informative

    Apparently no one reads the comic.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kryptonite
    Green, Red, Gold, White, Blue, etc.

    White (the color referenced in the article) kills all plant life.
    Pink (since no pinkish-orange is listed) turns people gay.

    Take your pick.

    Layne

    1. Re:Apparently no one reads..... by DikSeaCup · · Score: 4, Funny

      Watch out, Jimmy Olsen.

      --
      I talk about stuff.
  11. More information... by jolyonr · · Score: 4, Informative

    The real mineral is called "Jadarite", or at least it will be officially when it's published later this year. At the moment it has the official memorable name of "IMA2006-036" - but as the name "Jadarite" has leaked out onto the internet already, there's no big surprise about the forthcoming announcement. In fact these leaks on the internet pushed the Natural History Museum to release this press release now.

    More information about Jadarite at: http://www.mindat.org/min-31570.html
     
    Jolyon

    --


    Please read my Canon EOS tech blog at http://www.everyothershot.com
  12. Nah thanks.. by kadat · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sodium lithium boron siliaksdjalshk lajwbvbsbj? Nah, thanks, I think I'll stay with good old C2H5OH packed in a beer form. After all, few bottles of that make me a Superman too.

    1. Re:Nah thanks.. by errxn · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a...drunk in a cape.

      --
      In Soviet Russia, Chuck Norris will still kick your ass.
  13. Called Jadarite by necro81 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It's being called Jadarite for the mine near Jadar where it was found. This is fairly common from what (little) I know of minerology. They note that, because it doesn't actually contain any krypton, it can't officially be called kryptonite.

    Still, couldn't they have made a push for another superman-inspired name. Some suggestions are: Jorelite, Kalelite, Metropolite, or Lutherite.

  14. For sale? by LLuthor · · Score: 4, Funny

    Where can I buy some? Its still not on EBay!

    My henchmen are already on their way to pay the scientists a visit.

    --
    LL
  15. They need to print a correction, Quickly! by beadfulthings · · Score: 5, Informative

    Everybody knows Superman's arch-nemesis is Lex Luthor--not Lex Luther.

    Yahoo picked up the mistake from Reuters, people on Slashdot are typing it wrong, and now even the BBC has screwed it up.

    What kind of poor excuse for an arch-nemesis would spell his name "Lex Luther?" Sounds like some kind of religious observance.

    --
    "Here's what's happening. You're starting to drive like your Dad..." - Red Green
  16. Even deadlier to Superman... by Dystopian+Rebel · · Score: 3, Funny

    is the case of Serbian slivovica found in the same mine.

    --
    Rich And Stupid is not so bad as Working For Rich And Stupid.
  17. Kryptonite colors by BenEnglishAtHome · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I never can keep them all straight. Green krypto made him weak, everyone knows that. But I can never keep track of all the funky stuff that happened when Supes was exposed to red, white, and all the other colors of kryptonite. Anybody remember? And was there a pink/orange version?

    1. Re:Kryptonite colors by Whiney+Mac+Fanboy · · Score: 4, Funny
      Wikipedia sez:

      Pink Kryptonite: From an alternate timeline in a 2003 Supergirl storyline by Peter David, this bizarre variety of Kryptonite apparently turned heterosexual Kryptonians temporarily into homosexuals; it was seen in just one panel, with Superman giving flattering compliments to Jimmy Olsen about his wardrobe and decorative sense. It spoofs the more "innocent times" of the Silver Age (Lois Lane is depicted in this story as not understanding what's gotten into Superman).[1]
      So, pink kryptonite turns superman gay. No word on orange kryptonite tho'

      This is one of those situations where you realise wikipedia's superiority over the competition. (I mean how much help would Encyclopedia Britannica have been for this question?;)
      --
      There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
  18. Why does nobody read the article by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The new mineral does not contain fluorine (which it does in the film) and is white rather than green but, in all other respects, the chemistry matches that for the rock containing kryptonite."

    So basically,
    1) it's not green,
    2) it's doesn't cause radiation of any kind,
    3) it's not a crystal
    4) it's not even the same set of elements

    How about "I was dating a girl a while back, I realised she was Cindy Crawford, oh yeah, she's not actually Cindy Crawford, just has some similarities. PS, She's a man."

  19. Even more excitingly unexciting by mwvdlee · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Exciting: Contains same elements as described in fictional cartoon

    Unexciting: ...except fluorine, so actually it doesn't contain the same elements.

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    1. Re:Even more excitingly unexciting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Exciting: Contains same elements as described in fictional cartoon

      Unexciting: ...except fluorine, so actually it doesn't contain the same elements.

      Parent is correct.
      FTFA:

      "The new mineral does not contain fluorine (which it does in the film) and is white rather than green but, in all other respects, the chemistry matches that for the rock containing kryptonite."

      IANAChemist but what little chemistry I had over 30 years ago says it can't be the same chemical formula if it has one less element. Thusly the article disagrees with itself and this sounds a bit like pushing things for the find to get extra attention. If we can leave out an element and ignore the chemical bonding requirements then we could sweeten our food with carbon dioxide instead of sugar.
    2. Re:Even more excitingly unexciting by Mr.+Underbridge · · Score: 4, Insightful

      They likely mean it has (or rather, would have) the same structure as the fictional kryptonite (based on nomenclature). Similar compounds usually share some characteristics such as reactivity (e.g. all alkali metals react with water in a similar fashion but with differeing severity), melting point, etc.

      That assumption does not typically hold for complicated compounds with so many elements. For one, there are frequently many different possible crystal structures for the same molecule which exist under different conditions, which may have significantly different structures and properties. Additionally, there are often different molecular structures allowed for different formulae (called isomers), which often have drastically different properties. Additionally, the fictional and real versions differ in that the fictional contained fluorine, a very chemically active element that tends to drastically alter the properties of anything with which it bonds for a variety of interesting reasons.

      So ultimately, it would be impossible to suggest that they would share the same properties based on similar but not identical chemical formulae, and that might not hold even if they were identical. As such, the press release is nothing more than some jackass wanting his 15 minutes.

    3. Re:Even more excitingly unexciting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      From Wikipedia:
      The scientific name for the rock was displayed on its case, 'Sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide with fluorine'.

      Since when a chemical formula uses with? Granted I am no chemist, but I've never heard a chemical formula that uses with in my high school/college years. It sounds more like a composition of two substances like how steel is a composition of iron and carbon instead of a substance with a chemical formula "iron with carbon".

  20. Re:Which mine? by genooma · · Score: 3, Funny

    They probably don't want Superman to storm in and fuck up the place.

  21. This is VERY significant by Supercooldude · · Score: 3, Funny

    You guys are all missing the main reason this find is so significant for Serbia: The Croatians are gonna be super jealous!

  22. Re:Sigh... by QuickFox · · Score: 3, Funny

    What? Are you saying that you wouldn't notice a chemical formula on the side of a box in a movie? You must be new here.

    --
    Terrorists can't threaten a country's freedom and democracy. Only lawmakers and voters can do that.
  23. Why is this news? by Sir+Holo · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Materials scientists make "new" materials all the time - they dream up an unknown composition and make it in the lab. Just because someone digs something out of the ground somehow makes it special?

    Maybe I should quit doing real research and learn how to sell mundane stamp-collecting work as sexy and exciting.

  24. Even cooler is the article it links to--- by Cragen · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Even better:
    "With lengths over 11m, the giant gypsum crystals found in Mexico's Cueva de los Cristales are a great natural wonder."

    Then there's the "Giant crystal cave", which is really all ONE GEODE. (They seem to miss that in the article.) Can't see the crystals for cave, so to speak.

    Or maybe you would prefer "Man cuts off his penis in a London Restaurant" (!!!) Damned penis terroristas! Oh, wait, he cut off his OWN penis.

  25. Tesla's Secret Crystalline Material by lightmybulb · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Jadarite seems to be similar to Tesla's secret material used to channel energy from the aether in his little black box. Can anyone obtain a bit of this substance and test it for extreme intra-atomic field energies. Strange that it was discovered in Serbia knowing the history of Tesla's adventures at Wardenclyffe Station. If it IS the substance Tesla guarded so closely, it will be very difficult to find after this news article. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

    Some info on Tesla: http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/tesla/esp_tesla_ 14.htm