Chemistry of Spice Melange (from Dune) - Periodic Table of Videos
TLDRIn this video, a team of chemists and enthusiasts, led by technician Jesse, explore the possibility of creating 'melange,' the fictional spice from the 'Dune' series. Despite being a sci-fi concept not authored by Frank Herbert, they construct a structural formula and model, discovering unique features like two copper atoms in an unusual porin ring. Organic chemistry expert Rob Stockman provides insights, correcting the model's inaccuracies and speculating on the molecule's potential reactivity and effects. The video delves into the creative and complex chemistry behind a fictional substance, blending elements of science and imagination.
Takeaways
- 📚 The video was inspired by a Dune fan, exploring the possibility of creating a real-world version of the fictional 'melange' or spice from the Dune universe.
- 🤔 The concept of spice is complex and not originally from the Dune books, but a fictional addition created for the Dune encyclopedia.
- 🧪 The spice, named 'melange', is a chemical compound that supposedly allows space navigation and has psychoactive effects, hinting at prescience.
- 🔍 The structural formula of spice is presented as an old-fashioned diagram, suggesting it may be a product of creative fiction rather than actual chemistry.
- 🔬 A team of undergraduates, led by Jesse, attempted to create a model of the spice molecule, which includes unusual features like a porin ring with two copper atoms.
- 🦀 The presence of two copper atoms in the molecule is highlighted as unusual, drawing a comparison to hemocyanin, a blue blood compound found in crustaceans.
- 🐛 The spice is said to come from a creature called the sandworm, but the size and biology of such a creature are questioned for plausibility.
- 🚫 The method of consuming the spice, by inhaling vapor, is deemed implausible due to the high molecular weight and potential for decomposition upon heating.
- 🔍 An organic chemistry expert, Rob Stockman, was consulted to evaluate the model, and he took the task seriously, finding both interesting features and mistakes.
- 🔄 The model's structure was corrected by identifying and fixing errors, such as the placement of carbon atoms and the shape of the porin ring influenced by the copper atoms.
- 🌐 The fictional molecule incorporates elements from various chapters of chemistry, including sugars, peptides, fossil fuels, and inorganic compounds, showcasing creativity in its design.
Q & A
What is the spice 'melange' from the Dune series?
-Melange is a fictional chemical substance from the Dune universe, which is said to have psychoactive effects and allows the Guild Navigators to navigate through space.
Why was the spice 'melange' created?
-Melange was created as part of an extra bit of fiction to accompany the Dune books, and it was not written by Frank Herbert, the original author of the series.
What does the term 'melange' mean in French?
-In French, 'melange' means 'mixture,' implying that it is not a pure compound but rather a blend.
Outlines
📚 The Quest for Dune's Spice Melange
The video script begins with an introduction to the project initiated by a technician named Jesse, who is a fan of the Dune series. The goal is to explore the possibility of creating a real-world version of the fictional spice 'melange' from the Dune universe. The narrator admits to being unfamiliar with Dune and sci-fi in general, but dives into the challenge of synthesizing a complex molecule described in the Dune encyclopedia. The spice, known for its psychoactive properties and enabling space travel in the Dune universe, is a topic of intrigue and speculation. The script mentions the structural formula of the spice, which appears old-fashioned and includes an unusual porin ring with two copper atoms, reminiscent of hemocyanin, a blue, oxygen-carrying compound found in crustaceans. The spice is also associated with the giant sandworms of Dune, leading to a discussion about the plausibility of such creatures and their role in producing the spice.
🔬 The Scientific Exploration of Spice Melange
In the second paragraph, the script discusses the collaborative effort by a group of undergraduates, led by Jesse, to create a model of the spice molecule. The organic chemistry expert, Rob Stockman, is brought in to review the model without prior knowledge of its fictional origin. Surprisingly, he takes the task seriously and points out several features and potential mistakes in the molecular structure, such as the placement of carbon double bonds and the unusual presence of two copper atoms. The discussion delves into the chemical properties and potential reactivity of the molecule, especially focusing on the copper atoms and their implications for the molecule's activity. The script also touches on the creative and diverse chemical components used in the model, including sugars, peptides, and elements from fossil fuels and inorganic chemistry. The video concludes with a call to action for those interested in chemistry at the University of Nottingham, hinting at the possibility of further exploration into the creation of the fictional spice.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Dune
💡Spice
💡Molly mods
💡Porin ring
💡Hemosin
💡Sandworm
💡Guild Navigators
💡Structural formula
💡Peptide backbone
💡Cuprate species
💡HF (Hydrofluoric acid)
Highlights
The video project was initiated by a technician named Jesse, a fan of Dune books and films.
The goal was to explore the possibility of creating a spice from Dune, as described in the Dune encyclopedia.
The spice, melange, is a complex and fictional molecule with no known real-world counterpart.
Melange's name implies it's a mixture, suggesting it's not a pure compound.
The spice is crucial for space navigation in the Dune universe, enabling Guild Navigators to make space jumps.
Spice has psychoactive effects, allowing people to see the future.
An undergraduate team led by Jesse attempted to create a model of the spice's structural formula.
The structural formula appears old-fashioned, resembling drawings from just after World War II.
A porin ring with two copper atoms is unusual and doesn't fit standard structures.
Hemosin, a compound with two copper atoms, is mentioned as an analogy but is structurally different from the spice.
The spice is said to come from a giant creature called the sandworm, raising questions about its plausibility.
The size of the sandworm is deemed unconvincing due to gravitational constraints.
The method of consuming the spice by inhaling vapor is scientifically questionable.
Guild Navigators are depicted as mutant beings requiring large amounts of spice for navigation.
An organic chemistry expert, Rob Stockman, was consulted to evaluate the spice's model.
Rob Stockman found the model interesting and pointed out mistakes in the porin ring structure.
The presence of two copper atoms in the spice's structure is a point of intrigue and potential reactivity.
The spice's design features include sugars for water solubility and a peptide backbone.
The model combines elements from various chapters of a textbook, showcasing creativity.
The inclusion of a cuprate species in the spice adds an imaginative and complex element.
The video concludes with a call to action for those interested in chemistry at the University of Nottingham.
A humorous note on the inadequacy of a gallon of HF to dissolve a tough gangster, as it's not a catalyst.
Transcripts
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