Nanoscale "What Is It?" quiz

The Materials Research Society holds "Science as Art" competitions at their big meetings. Researchers enter unusual and striking images of their nanoscale lab creations. The Society have a slew of the entries posted to their Web site for use as screensavers or desktop wallpaper. Discover's Aaron Rowe grabbed some of them to create a slideshow quiz. For example:

This tiny rose (above) was made by mixing an exotic element with hydrazoic acid. That element was discovered in Germany, is a soft and silvery metal with a low melting point, and was used to lubricate the bearings of aircraft during World War II. What is it?

"World's Smallest Puzzles" (Discover), Download MRS Desktop Images (Materials Research Society)

[#1 posted by thickdot , February 20, 2009 1:14 PM]

Hitlerite?

[#2 posted by thechicgeek , February 20, 2009 1:15 PM]

It's not Adamantium, so I guess it'll have to be Mercury.

[#3 posted by Jason Rizos , February 20, 2009 1:18 PM]

Hitlerite, FTW.

How about Silicon?

[#4 posted by Jason Rizos , February 20, 2009 1:22 PM]

I think Lithium is also a lubricant. I change my answer to Lithium. Si just isn't that "exotic."

[#5 posted by Anonymous , February 20, 2009 1:23 PM]

graphite?

[#6 posted by Anonymous , February 20, 2009 1:25 PM]

I saw last year an entry, something to the effect of "Donut with zinc nano-sprinkles," which looked painfully shardy but it was hilarious. shardy!

[#7 posted by arkizzle , February 20, 2009 1:25 PM]

Indium

[#8 posted by PhilSalkie , February 20, 2009 1:28 PM]

Molybdenum - molybdenum disulfide is now a common component of high-quality greases.

[#9 posted by grimc , February 20, 2009 1:30 PM]

Arkizzle FTW.

But Thickdot FTMFW.

[#10 posted by Axx , February 20, 2009 1:38 PM]

Any other Boingers going to be at the meeting? I'll see ya there.

[#11 posted by Pasketti , February 20, 2009 1:43 PM]

Gallium?

[#12 posted by thequickbrownfox , February 20, 2009 1:53 PM]

Lithium.

[#13 posted by Garreth , February 20, 2009 1:56 PM]

Indium.

[#14 posted by Snig , February 20, 2009 1:57 PM]

It would be lovely if that was a Germanium Geranium, but I don't think it matches the specs described.

[#15 posted by DingusK , February 20, 2009 1:58 PM]

"I think it was manufactured... Finest quality. Superior workmanship..."

http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/content.asp?Bnum=1580

[#16 posted by knodi , February 20, 2009 2:28 PM]

um.... it's multiple choice, guys. no need to go off the top of your head. Plus I'm voting for indium as well.

[#17 posted by Takuan , February 20, 2009 2:32 PM]

bah! In my day we did with Babbitt! And were glad for it!

[#18 posted by Jarvik7 , February 20, 2009 2:32 PM]

Potatoes

[#19 posted by Takuan , February 20, 2009 2:33 PM]

well, that and lignum vitae. But that was all!

[#20 posted by Ito Kagehisa , February 20, 2009 2:42 PM]

I'm not sure that what you're saying has any bearing on this subject, Taku-san.

[#21 posted by Takuan , February 20, 2009 2:44 PM]

don't try to grease me up, ye'll be getting the shaft soon enough!

[#22 posted by Ito Kagehisa , February 20, 2009 2:57 PM]

No more punishment, I can't bear it!

[#23 posted by Jason Rizos , February 20, 2009 3:32 PM]

Sigh. It is Indium. But "lubricate" is not exactly accurate.

[#24 posted by solitaire , February 20, 2009 4:02 PM]

Imipolex G.

[#25 posted by ill lich , February 20, 2009 4:20 PM]

Gallium was my first thought too, though I would never have assumed it was used as a lubricant.

[#26 posted by ROSSINDETROIT , February 20, 2009 4:24 PM]

So that's what the Schwartzgerat looks like?

[#27 posted by TroofSeeker , February 20, 2009 6:21 PM]

Our Lady of the Lubes, Molly Bendum.

[#28 posted by Brainspore , February 20, 2009 8:57 PM]

It's what a bacteria presents his date when he picks her up for the nanoprom.

[#29 posted by Tangolomango , February 20, 2009 9:46 PM]

Lubricant? K-Y?

[#30 posted by AltaCalifornian , February 21, 2009 12:04 PM]

I was going to say Germanium also, but I'm not sure about it ever being used in bearings.

[#31 posted by IamInnocent , February 21, 2009 3:12 PM]

Of course the answer is indium (a bit of googling was enough) but gallium is found in a larger proportion in most 'lubricating' alloys, with indium in second place and someting else, like tin.

[#32 posted by Phikus , February 21, 2009 4:41 PM]

I don't want to give you guys any friction, but, by any other name it would still gel as sweet.

[#33 posted by IamInnocent , February 22, 2009 8:27 AM]

I don't want to give you guys any friction, but, by any other name it would still gel as sweet.

I wonder to which viruses' family nano-R&J belong?