Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Science
Related: About this forumPutnisite is discovered!
A previously unknown mineral has been discovered in a remote location in Western Australia. The mineral, named putnisite, appears purple and translucent, and contains strontium, calcium, chromium, sulphur, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, a very unusual combination.
While dozens of new minerals are discovered each year, it is rare to find one that is unrelated to already-known substances. "Most minerals belong to a family or small group of related minerals, or if they aren't related to other minerals they often are to a synthetic compound--but putnisite is completely unique and unrelated to anything," said Peter Elliott, co-author of a study describing the new substance and a researcher at the South Australian Museum and the University of Adelaide, in a statement. "Nature seems to be far cleverer at dreaming up new chemicals than any researcher in a laboratory."
While dozens of new minerals are discovered each year, it is rare to find one that is unrelated to already-known substances. "Most minerals belong to a family or small group of related minerals, or if they aren't related to other minerals they often are to a synthetic compound--but putnisite is completely unique and unrelated to anything," said Peter Elliott, co-author of a study describing the new substance and a researcher at the South Australian Museum and the University of Adelaide, in a statement. "Nature seems to be far cleverer at dreaming up new chemicals than any researcher in a laboratory."
http://www.popsci.com/article/science/unique-mineral-discovered-australia?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=1&con=unique-mineral-discovered-in-australia-
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
4 replies, 1507 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (12)
ReplyReply to this post
4 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Putnisite is discovered! (Original Post)
Kablooie
Apr 2014
OP
Chromium is in the +3 state. Interesting. Most chromium ores are chromate(VI). nt
eppur_se_muova
Apr 2014
#2
Control-Z
(15,681 posts)1. I love science!!
I hope we can stop destroying this beautiful planet before we get a chance to enjoy what seems to be an accelerated period of new discovery.
eppur_se_muova
(36,227 posts)2. Chromium is in the +3 state. Interesting. Most chromium ores are chromate(VI). nt
Javaman
(62,439 posts)3. And it has this unique ability to invade other countries. nt
lastlib
(22,981 posts)4. (Kinda sounds like a crimea gainst humanity....
scientists are russian to discover its other properties. Ukraine your neck to imagine the possibilities....(I know,that one was a stretch....))