The Unfortunate Naming Accident in Science: A Lesson from Hannah Fry

A recent video has sparked interest and amusement in the scientific community, highlighting one of the most unfortunate naming accidents in the history of science. The video, featuring the brilliant Professor Hannah Fry, delves into a humorous yet insightful episode involving carbon nanotubes and their copper counterparts.

Years ago, excitement around carbon nanotubes was palpable. These microscopic structures, resembling tiny straws, held immense potential for various applications. Due to the frequent mention of nanotubes in scientific literature, the term was often abbreviated to "NT." However, the story takes a laughable twist when a group of scientists in China decided to experiment with making nanotubes out of different materials, such as copper.

In an attempt to distinguish these new copper nanotubes from the standard carbon ones, the scientists prefixed the abbreviation with the elemental symbol for copper, "Cu." The result? The term "C***" was born, much to the amusement and shock of the scientific community and the public alike.

The video, narrated by Hannah Fry, shows a picture of the original paper, emphasizing the unintended but unfortunate consequence of this naming convention. Comments on the video reflect a mix of humor and admiration for Hannah Fry's storytelling skills and scientific acumen.

One viewer humorously stated, "From now on, I will insult people by calling them copper nanotubes." Another user remarked, "I find it hard to believe an Australian wasn’t involved somewhere." Praise for Hannah Fry's educational content is evident, with comments such as, "She’s got a YT channel about sciences and math," and "Hannah Fry, such a great communicator."

The video also brought to light a lesser-known fact: nanotubes, regardless of the element used, are highly active cancer-causing agents, similar to asbestos. This scientific insight was shared along with a link to a relevant research article.

Hannah Fry's fans expressed their admiration for her intellect and presentation skills. Comments like "She's gorgeous and wicked smart," and "Hannah Fry, highly recommend Rutherford and Fry's curious cases podcast," highlight her popularity among viewers.

The video's background music, "Love Story" by Indila (Penguin Piano), added a touch of elegance to the clip, as noted by one of the commenters.

This video not only entertains but also educates viewers about the fascinating world of nanotubes and the sometimes humorous pitfalls of scientific nomenclature. Professor Hannah Fry's engaging narration and insightful commentary make this a must-watch for anyone interested in science and its quirks.