The new mineral contains sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide, but won't have any effect on anyone wearing Spandex and a cape.

Thomas Claburn, Editor at Large, Enterprise Mobility

April 24, 2007

1 Min Read

A new mineral discovered in Serbia shares the chemical composition of kryptonite, the fictitious green substance that robbed comic book and film hero Superman of his powers.

In Superman Returns, the chemical composition of kryptonite is identified as "sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide with fluorine."

The new mineral, which will be named Jadarite, has the same formula, except without fluorine.

"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," said Chris Stanley, a mineral expert with the Natural History Museum in the United Kingdom, in a statement on the NHM Web site. "We will have to be careful with it -- we wouldn't want to deprive Earth of its most famous superhero!"

Stanley assisted in the identification of the mineral, which was discovered by scientists from the Rio Tinto mining group.

Jadarite won't rob anyone of his or her powers. In fact, it may end up providing power if found in abundance because the lithium it contains could be used to make batteries. Jadarite also could provide cleaning power since it contains borate, which can be used in cleaners.

Scientists at the NHM in London plan to unveil the new mineral to the public on Wednesday, April 25, at 12:30 P.M. Lead attire isn't required.

About the Author(s)

Thomas Claburn

Editor at Large, Enterprise Mobility

Thomas Claburn has been writing about business and technology since 1996, for publications such as New Architect, PC Computing, InformationWeek, Salon, Wired, and Ziff Davis Smart Business. Before that, he worked in film and television, having earned a not particularly useful master's degree in film production. He wrote the original treatment for 3DO's Killing Time, a short story that appeared in On Spec, and the screenplay for an independent film called The Hanged Man, which he would later direct. He's the author of a science fiction novel, Reflecting Fires, and a sadly neglected blog, Lot 49. His iPhone game, Blocfall, is available through the iTunes App Store. His wife is a talented jazz singer; he does not sing, which is for the best.

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