Difference between revisions of "Hawkinium"

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[[Element]] 126 (unbihexium) on the [[periodic table]] was originally labelled '''Hawkingium''', but frequent use has caused the nasal to be dropped, and is now referred to as [[Hawkinium]].  It was discovered during the middle of the [[21st century]], though its only truly stable isotope, [[Hawkinium]] 310, was not refined until the end of the century.  This potentially stable isotope was predicted long beforehand, and Stephen Hawking's name was reserved for its discovery in order to honor his achievements.  It is one of three truly synthetic elements to be both relatively stable and have unique chemical properties, the other two being [[Planckium]] (element 122) and [[Slotinium]] (element 124).
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[[Element]] 126 (unbihexium) on the [[periodic table]] was originally labeled '''Hawkingium''', but frequent use has caused the nasal to be dropped, and is now referred to as Hawkinium.  It was discovered during the middle of the [[21st century]], though its only truly stable isotope, hawkinium 310, was not refined until the end of the century.  This potentially stable isotope was predicted long beforehand, and Stephen Hawking's name was reserved for its discovery in order to honor his achievements.  It is one of three truly synthetic elements to be both relatively stable and have unique chemical properties, the other two being [[Planckium]] (element 122) and [[Slotinium]] (element 124).
  
A 'victim' of superactinide contraction, [[Hawkinium]] is by far the densest, stable, non-[[exotic]] element known, with a density nearly four times that of lead.  It is chemically surprisingly stable, though it does slowly oxidize in air.  It is thought to be mildly toxic in large quantities, but no [[human]] has yet had significant exposure to the substance, and this is unlikely for the forseeable future.
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A 'victim' of superactinide contraction, hawkinium is by far the densest, stable, non-[[exotic]] element known, with a density nearly four times that of lead.  It is chemically surprisingly stable, though it does slowly oxidize in air.  It is mildly toxic in large quantities to most un-engineered organisms,
  
[[Hawkinium]] does not have a well-defined solid or liquid state.  In its pure form, it can be molded as if it were stiff clay at room temperature, and increasing temperatures make it more and more malleable until it is clearly a liquid.  Its boiling/sublimation point is nearly six thousand Kelvin, higher than [[tungsten]] but lower than [[seaborgium]].
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Hawkinium does not have a well-defined solid or liquid state.  In its pure form, it can be molded as if it were stiff clay at room temperature, and increasing temperatures make it more and more malleable until it is clearly a liquid.  Its boiling/sublimation point is nearly six thousand Kelvin, higher than [[tungsten]] but lower than [[seaborgium]].
 
 
The nucleus of [[hawkinium]] 310 resists attempts to change, and will automatically reflect low-energy bombardment.
 
  
 
== Uses ==
 
== Uses ==
[[Hawkinium]] has three primary uses.
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[[Hawkinium]] is usually used as an alloy, tamper, or neutron reflectorIn the former case, it generally increases the temperature resistance as well as providing some amount of strength, although it does not significantly increase yield strength which limits its use in such applicationsAs part of a [[californium nuke]], it serves as an excellent tamper and neutron reflector, as well as undergoing spontaneous fission itself under such stressThis, of course, limits the popularity of its production.
 
 
[[Hawkinium]] alloys well with steel, and in some specially crafted alloys represents 50% of its weightUntil it outweighs the rest of its alloy, it tends to increase all meaningful properties of the steel - strength, melting point, and other factors.  While it would make an amazing tamper and neutron reflector for use in nuclear weapons, it is far too valuable to be used as such.  Regardless, it is no magic solution to the materials problems, simply a help.
 
 
 
Both fission and [[fusion]] reactors frequently make use of [[hawkinium]] alloys as a neutron reflector, drastically reducing neutron embrittlement and allowing for higher temperatures inside the reactor.  Most such uses involve the carbide alloy.
 
 
 
The most unique property of [[hawkinium]] is its unusual response to the weak nuclear forceA strange property shared by the superactinides, they reflect and absorb neutrinos at a meaningful rate - a centimeter of [[hawkinium]] is the rough equivelant of ten kilometers of lead.  Before the advent of [[exotic]]s, it was the only method of 'easily' detecting neutrinos.
 
 
 
== Production ==
 
Production is a set of extremely long, complex, energy intensive processes.  There are several elemental chains through which [[hawkinium]] 310 is created, and its production consumes over 99.5% of all synthesized elements heavier than [[californium]].  Currently, several dozen tonnes are produced each year, with a total stockpile of nearly a hundred thousand tonnes.
 
  
 
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Latest revision as of 06:25, 4 April 2007

Element 126 (unbihexium) on the periodic table was originally labeled Hawkingium, but frequent use has caused the nasal to be dropped, and is now referred to as Hawkinium. It was discovered during the middle of the 21st century, though its only truly stable isotope, hawkinium 310, was not refined until the end of the century. This potentially stable isotope was predicted long beforehand, and Stephen Hawking's name was reserved for its discovery in order to honor his achievements. It is one of three truly synthetic elements to be both relatively stable and have unique chemical properties, the other two being Planckium (element 122) and Slotinium (element 124).

A 'victim' of superactinide contraction, hawkinium is by far the densest, stable, non-exotic element known, with a density nearly four times that of lead. It is chemically surprisingly stable, though it does slowly oxidize in air. It is mildly toxic in large quantities to most un-engineered organisms,

Hawkinium does not have a well-defined solid or liquid state. In its pure form, it can be molded as if it were stiff clay at room temperature, and increasing temperatures make it more and more malleable until it is clearly a liquid. Its boiling/sublimation point is nearly six thousand Kelvin, higher than tungsten but lower than seaborgium.

Uses

Hawkinium is usually used as an alloy, tamper, or neutron reflector. In the former case, it generally increases the temperature resistance as well as providing some amount of strength, although it does not significantly increase yield strength which limits its use in such applications. As part of a californium nuke, it serves as an excellent tamper and neutron reflector, as well as undergoing spontaneous fission itself under such stress. This, of course, limits the popularity of its production.


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