'Kryptonite' is Real and Here on Earth

Most of us are familiar with kryptonite, the mysterious green material that the popular comic book hero, Superman, cannot go near for fear of losing all of his super human powers. It is the only material that can disable the power Superman.

Today's reports are saying the kryptonite is no longer a substance of fiction but something real and existing right here on planet earth. It is not a mysterious substance that arrived on earth from some far off planet however and sadly is in not luminous green either.

However, the real kryptonite does have the same chemical make up as the kryptonite in the story of Superman according to the scientists who discovered it. The new material was found in a mine in Serbia.

Like the story from the film, 'Superman Returns,' the real kryptonite has a chemical make up of sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide. The real world kryptonite does lack one component according to a scientist London's Natural History Museum, Dr. Christ Stanley. Stanley said, " The new mineral does not contain fluorine and is white rather than green, but in all other respects the chemistry matches that for the rock containing kryptonite."

Dr. Stanley also said that the earth kryptonite is harmless and that "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."

The new material was found in a mine in Serbia by the Rio Tinto a mining company. When the group's mineralogist and geologist first found the new substance they requested some outside help to discover what it was. Three experts two from the National Research Council in Canada were called in when the Rio Tinto group were unable to find a matching known substance. The scientists that investigated the makeup of this new substance were, Dr. Chris Stanley from London and Dr Yvon Le Page and Dr. Pamela Whitfield.

The three scientists are still continuing their investigations into the new substance to confirm for certain that is something unique and previously undiscovered. Dr. Le Page said, "Knowing a material's crystal structure means scientist can calculate other physical properties of the material, such as its elasticity or thermochemical properties."

The real kryptonite is bound to generate a variety of interest from around the world. The public will get the chance to see it in the UK at the Natural History Museum from the 25 of April to the 13th of May. If and when it is be on display elsewhere has not been announced.

The official name of the substance will not be kryptonite. It will be named after the area in which it was discovered, Jadar. The new name will be Jadarite.

Sources
http://www.inthenews.co.uk/infocus/features/in-focus/kryptonite-found-on-earth-$1078971.htm
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04242007/news/worldnews/dig_yields_kryptonite_worldnews_kate_sheehy__wire_services.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6584229.stm