The secret science of superheroes / edited by Mark Lorch and Andy Miah ; with illustrations by Andy Brunnning.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Lorch, Mark, editor.

Miah, Andy, 1975- editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Superheroes in literature.

Literature and science.

Science in popular culture.

Physical Description:

xvi, 227 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

London, UK : Royal Society of Chemistry, [2017]

Summary:

The Secret Science of Superheroes takes a look at our favourite superheroes and their kit, then asks a simple question. If these superpowers actually existed then what else must be? true? What must a Superhero eat for breakfast to fuel their flaming bodies or super speeds? How might superpowers really evolve? What could super materials like vibranium be made of? And could you really create a flying superhero suit? By exploring these topics and more, the book introduces a wide range of scientific concepts, from protein chemistry, to computer science and particle physics to anyone who loves superheroes and science. With explanations from leading science communicators, and illuminating infographics, the book answers some of those nagging questions that, might have crossed your mind whilst enjoying me latest superhero blockbuster. Book jacket.

Contents:

Chapter 1 The Breakfasts of Superheroes / Mark Lorch Lorch, Mark 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Food for All 2

1.3 A Super Side-Effect 2

1.4 Fast Food and Flash Dicts 4

1.5 Feeding the Flames 6

1.6 Spider-Man's Breakfast 7

References 13

Chapter 2 The Evolution of Superpowers / Louise K. Gentle Gentle, Louise K. 15

2.1 Introduction 15

2.2 Natural Selection 16

2.3 Genetics 17

2.4 Non-Selective Evolution 20

2.5 Superpowers 23

2.5.1 Vision 23

2.5.2 Hearing 25

2.5.3 Electric and Magnetic Senses 26

2.5.4 Shapeshifting 27

2.5.5 Absorbing Powers 28

2.5.6 Chemical Weapons 29

2.6 Conclusions 30

References 30

Chapter 3 The Hallmarks of Hulk / Isabel Pires Pires, Isabel 33

3.1 Introduction 33

3.2 All About the Hulk 34

3.3 We Have to Talk About Cancer: A Note by the Author 34

3.4 In the Beginning There Was Mutation! 37

3.5 Growth Without End 39

3.6 Hungry Gasping Cells! 41

3.7 Changing Back to Bruce Banner: The Power of Genetic Switches 44

3.8 It is Easy Being Green! 45

3.9 Some Final Thoughts... 47

References 47

Chapter 4 Supervillainy 101: Choosing Between a Zombie, Vampire or Werewolf Apocalypse / J. Verran Verran, J., M. Crossley Crossley, M. 49

4.1 An Introduction to Epidemiology 49

4.2 The Lifecycle of Disease 55

4.3 Disease Transmission 57

4.4 Emerging Issues and Disease Evolution 60

4.5 Prevention and Control 62

4.6 Conclusions 65

References 66

Chapter 5 How to Build a Super Soldier / Akshat Rathi Rathi, Akshat 68

5.1 Introduction 68

5.2 The Story of the Star-Spangled Avenger 70

5.3 How to Create Super Powers in Mere Mortals 70

5.3.1 Seeing More than Others 70

5.3.2 Catch Me If You Can 72

5.3.3 Super Size Me 73

5.3.4 Keep up with Me 76

5.3.5 Show Me the Muscle Power 76

5.3.6 No Shut Eye 78

5.3.7 By Mere Thought 79

References 80

Chapter 6 The Real World Super Metal / Paul R. Coxon Coxon, Paul R. 82

6.1 Introduction 82

6.2 Jon Osterman: Where Is He from and an Accident 85

6.3 Lithium: A History 85

6.4 What Are Lithium Batteries? How Do They Work? 90

6.5 How Do We Get Lithium Today? Top Lithium-Producing Countries 91

References 92

Chapter 7 Is It a Ceramic? Is It Graphene? No It's Vibranium! / Mark J. Whiting Whiting, Mark J. 93

7.1 Supermaterials 93

7.2 Observing Vibranium 94

7.3 Stronger Than Steel 96

7.4 As Dense as Aluminium 101

7.5 Elements: New and Old 101

7.6 Is It a Composite? 104

7.7 High-Entropy Alloys 106

7.8 Bad Vibes 107

7.9 Concluding Remarks 108

References 109

Chapter 8 The Science of Super Suits / Suze Kundu Kundu, Suze 111

8.1 Introduction 111

8.2 Bat Fashion 112

8.2.1 The Bat Gloves 112

8.2.2 The Bat Boots 115

8.23 The Batsuit 116

8.2.4 The Bat Hood 119

8.2.5 The Bat Cape 119

8.2.6 The Bat Supersuit 121

8.3 Iron Man 122

8.3.1 Not-Iron Man 122

8.3.2 Insulating a Superhero 124

8.3.3 How to Pick a Suit 125

8.4 The Reality of Supersuits 126

References 128

Chapter 9 Why Doesn't the Invisible Woman Bump Into Things? / Kat Day Day, Kat 130

Acknowledgements 138

References 138

Chapter 10 The Flash: The Fastest Man on Fire / Brian Mackenwells Mackenwells, Brian 141

10.1 Just How Fast is The Flash? 141

10.2 Crashing and Burning 142

10.3 Beat the Heat 143

References 148

Chapter 11 You've Got to Learn to Be More Flexible: The Mechanics of Marvellous / David Jesson Jesson, David 149

11.1 Introduction 149

11.2 Naturally Flexible 150

11.3 Mechanical Characterisation 101 152

11.4 How to Avoid Whiplash in Your (Super) 'Quick Change Act' 156

11.5 The Mechanics of Marvelous: Part 1 - Just a Moment 157

11.6 The Mechanics of Marvellous: Part 2 - A Moment's Deflection 161

11.7 Concluding Remarks 163

References 165

Chapter 12 Big Data, Big Heroes and Bad Computers / Rob Miles Miles, Rob 167

12.1 Introduction 167

12.2 Will Artificial Intelligence Enslave Us all? 168

12.3 Computers and Programs 168

12.4 Artificial Intelligence - The Rise of the 'Computer Brain' 169

12.5 Speech Recognition as an Application of Artificial Intelligence 170

12.6 How Your Brain Works 170

12.8 The Need for Speed 171

12.9 Broken Thoughts 172

12.10 Machines - How Do We Make 'Jarvis'? 173

12.11 How Do We Make a Human Computer? 174

12.12 Building Understanding 175

12.13 When Good Software Goes Bad 175

12.14 Giving Software an Agenda 176

12.15 How Can You Use Computers to Take Over the World? 177

12.16 Big Data and Reading the Mind of Humanity 177

12.17 Turning Our Devices Against Us 179

12.18 The Internet of Bad Things 179

References 182

Chapter 13 The Wonder-ous Truth: The Workings of Wonder Woman's Lasso / Felicity Heathcote-Márcz Heathcote-Márcz, Felicity 183

13.1 What is the Lasso of Truth? 183

13.2 The Woman Behind the Rope 184

13.3 Truth and the Lasso 187

13.4 Submit or Lasso! 188

13.5 When the Truth Is Not Admissible in Court 190

13.6 Breaking the Lasso 190

13.7 How Might a Real-Life Lasso of Truth Work? 191

13.8 Nectar of Truth 191

13.9 Our 'Patch-Lasso' 192

13.10 The Lasso and Death 194

References 195

Chapter 14 Super Frequently Asked Questions / Karl Byrne Byrne, Karl 197

14.1 Introduction 197

14.2 Is It Possible to Climb up a Wall Like Spider-Man? 198

14.3 If You Cut Wolverine in Half, Would He Grow Back as Two Wolverines? 199

14.4 Is There a Link Between Superpowers and Having an Alliterative Name? 201

14.5 Is It Possible for a Normal Person to Become Batgirl? 202

14.6 Why Are so Many Superheroes and Villains Scientists? 203

14.7 How Does Superman Have His Haircut? 204

14.8 Why Doesn't Magneto Ever Need a Towel? 205

14.9 Why Doesn't Frozone's Hand Freeze? 206

14.10 Conclusions 207

References 207.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1782624872

9781782624875

OCLC:

987357621