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)
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Hitlerite?
It's not Adamantium, so I guess it'll have to be Mercury.
Hitlerite, FTW.
How about Silicon?
I think Lithium is also a lubricant. I change my answer to Lithium. Si just isn't that "exotic."
graphite?
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!
Indium
Molybdenum - molybdenum disulfide is now a common component of high-quality greases.
Arkizzle FTW.
But Thickdot FTMFW.
Any other Boingers going to be at the meeting? I'll see ya there.
Gallium?
Lithium.
Indium.
It would be lovely if that was a Germanium Geranium, but I don't think it matches the specs described.
"I think it was manufactured... Finest quality. Superior workmanship..."
http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/content.asp?Bnum=1580
um.... it's multiple choice, guys. no need to go off the top of your head. Plus I'm voting for indium as well.
bah! In my day we did with Babbitt! And were glad for it!
Potatoes
well, that and lignum vitae. But that was all!
I'm not sure that what you're saying has any bearing on this subject, Taku-san.
don't try to grease me up, ye'll be getting the shaft soon enough!
No more punishment, I can't bear it!
Sigh. It is Indium. But "lubricate" is not exactly accurate.
Imipolex G.
Gallium was my first thought too, though I would never have assumed it was used as a lubricant.
So that's what the Schwartzgerat looks like?
Our Lady of the Lubes, Molly Bendum.
It's what a bacteria presents his date when he picks her up for the nanoprom.
Lubricant? K-Y?
I was going to say Germanium also, but I'm not sure about it ever being used in bearings.
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.
I don't want to give you guys any friction, but, by any other name it would still gel as sweet.
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?