What's in a Name? (June 26, 2009)

The journal Science today reveals that element 112 has been officially recognized by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

Researchers at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt, Germany together with international colleagues combined in 1996 to produce the first atoms of element 112.

Previously the Darmstadt group had produced elements 107 to 111, and once officially recognised, the discoverers/manufacturers exercised their naming rights.

The result:

The editorial staffers at Science believe that matters are getting out of hand in the naming stakes and suggest that simplification is in order.

Their proposal to the Darmstadters -- name 112, "Bob".