Posts Tagged: chemistry

Isotropes of unobtainium found

Forms of unobtainium have been used in science fiction from the beginning of the genre. HG Wells used the fictional Cavorite to overcome the power of gravity and get his heroes to the moon in The First Men in the Moon. Star Trek uses dilithium crystals to power the warp drive.
Toxin and the poison arrow

The use of poisoned arrows by the Scythians is one of the earliest known examples of biological warfare, that is, the use of toxins to deliberately injure or kill. Remarkably, two and a half thousand years after Scythian archers used toxins on their arrows we are using the Ancient Greek word almost in its original […]

Marque—is Jaguar reverting to type?11/10/2026
Jaguar releases the Type 01 This week the Jaguar car company released its new electric car, the Type 01. Jaguar has delivered on its controversial 2024 advertising campaign and Type 00 concept, which attracted widespread ridicule. One journalist suggested that “the marque, again, [is] putting its future on the line”. Famous for its sports cars… Read more: Marque—is Jaguar reverting to type?
Genericide & Entwisle Model of Brand Overshoot01/10/2026
A mate recently sent me a word he thought might interest me—genericide. There are quite a few everyday words that you might not know started life as trademarks: cellophane, aspirin, trampoline and escalator. I came across the same phenomenon in a previous post with cafetière for a coffee plunger. There is something quite ironic about… Read more: Genericide & Entwisle Model of Brand Overshoot
What’s for pudding?27/09/2026
As an English-born Australian I have the “lived experience” of navigating the differences between Australian English and British English. It is a fun place to play but sometimes the two just don’t reconcile. One of the most grating is how the English can call dessert “pudding”. I was brought up with Christmas puddings, suet puddings… Read more: What’s for pudding?

Isotropes of unobtainium found