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Looking forward to marking #spaceweek by exhibiting at @newscientist.com Live! this weekend

Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Honoured to receive the Sir Colin Humphreys Education Award from @iom3.bsky.social Huge thanks to everyone who has helped make the Magic of Materials Summer School such a success. Together we've inspired more than 250 future scientists and engineers. www.iom3.org/events-award... #MaterialsScience

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

High energy plasma labs visit today at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social visiting Magpie. Thank you Prof Simon Bland

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

🏫 Location: St Paul’s School, London 💷 Cost: Completely FREE + up to £100 travel bursary 📅 Programme Dates: 10 - 12 July 2026, application deadline 7 May 🎯 Who it’s for: High-achieving Year 10 students on track for strong GCSE results in science and maths #STEM #education #Physics

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Applications now open for the award-winning Particle Physics Summer School at St Paul's School in partnership with @qmul.bsky.social 👉 Full details here: www.canva.com/design/DAG96... #STEM #quantum #particlephysics #Education #Physics #Science #Engineering #Outreach #Teacher

canva.com

Unsupported client – Canva

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

🏫 Location: St Paul’s School, London 💷 Cost: Completely FREE + up to £100 travel bursary 📅 Programme Dates: 8 - 10 July 2026, application deadline 7 May 2026 🎯 Who it’s for: High-achieving Year 10 students on track for strong GCSE results.

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Applications now open for the award-winning Magic of Materials Summer School at St Paul's School in partnership with @discovermaterials.bsky.social and @iom3.bsky.social 👉 Full details here: www.canva.com/design/DAG98... #STEM #Education #Physics #Science #Engineering #Outreach #Teacher

lnkd.in

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

"...his introduction to quantum science and the structure of the atom at the start of the book is possibly some of the finest educational science writing for a non-specialist audience I think you'll find." - Review of The Secret Life of the Periodic Table youtube.com/shorts/q4qr2... #chemistry

youtube.com

Is The Secret Life of the Periodic Table Worth Reading? 📘

YouTube video by Chemistry Student

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

The NASA Artemis II all early 2026 launch windows starting March 6 www.nasa.gov/wp-content/u...

nasa.gov

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Really excited to be speaking at the 9th Silesian Science Festival in Katowice next weekend Dec 6-8 I'll be telling tales from the Secret Life of the Periodic Table and providing instruction on how to Build a LEGO Universe slaskifestiwalnauki.pl/en/meet-spec... #science #physics #chemistry

slaskifestiwalnauki.pl

Śląski Festiwal Nauki KATOWICE

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Come find out more about How the Universe Works at Northfields Community Library W5 4UA 14:30 Sunday 12 October #science #astrophysics #book #space maps.app.goo.gl/mixs87cfsMLY... @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social @ealinglibraries.bsky.social

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

It's out in bookshops now! How the Universe Works: from the Big Bang to the End of Time #space #cosmology# #astrophysics and more @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social www.walker.co.uk/978140638759...

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Agreed, an impeccable line up!

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Great to see The Secret Life of the Periodic Table in @foylesforbooks.bsky.social Charring Cross Road. There is a signed copy on the shelf if you are thinking of getting a copy.

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

On a walkabout after dinner last night I dropped into @waterstones.bsky.social Piccadilly and signed a copy of The Secret Life of the Periodic Table. If you're in London and want a signed copy head there to the 4th floor where it can be found in the Chemistry books section.

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

Giving an author talk at my local community library on the re-release of The Secret Life of the Periodic Table @hachetteuk.bsky.social Northfields Community Library, 7:30pm Thursday 14 August

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

60 Neodymium Nd, separated from oxide mix didymium which contains lathanide elements 1885 🇦🇹Baron Carl Auer von Welsbach, takes root of its name from the Greek neos νέος for new which is added to -dymium from didymium lit. new-twin #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

59 Praseodymium Pr, 1839-43 ceria separated into 2 oxides 🇸🇪Carl Gustaf Mosander 1 was La₂O₃ other, didymium from Greek didymos δίδυμος for twin, mixture of oxides including one green in colour - green prasinos πράσινος in Greek #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

58 Cerium Ce, named 1803 🇸🇪Jöns Jakob Berzelius & Wilhelm Hisinger after the dwarf planet Ceres discovered 1801 itself named after the Roman god of agriculture. Also identified 1803 🇩🇪Martin Heinrich Klaproth in oxide ceria #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

57 Lanthanum La, from Ancient Greek λανθάνω lanthánō meaning to escape (someones) notice because it lay hidden in ores of other rare earth metals. Discovered & named 🇸🇪Carl Gustav Mosander 1839 pure metal not extracted until 1923 #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

56 Barium Ba, heaviest of the non-radioactive alkaline earth metals name from Greek βαρύς barys meaning heavy. 🇸🇪🇩🇪Carl Scheele identified element in barite ore not isolated until 1808 🇬🇧Sir Humphry Davy using electrolysis #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

55 Caesium Cs, another element discovered 🇩🇪Robert Bunsen & Gustav Kirchhoff 1860 name from Latin caesius meaning sky-blue because of the colour of light emitted in flame tests. Cesium in the US #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

54 Xenon Xe, discovered in September 1898 🇬🇧William Ramsay & Morris Travers in the residue of air after they discovered Kr and Ne, name from Greek ξένος xenos meaning foreign/strange. #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

53 Iodine I, solid sublimes in standard conditions to form a violet gas named iode 1813 🇫🇷Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac from Greek ἰώδης iodes, violet, after discovery 1811 🇫🇷Bernard Courtois. #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

52 Tellurium Te, first isolated and named by 🇩🇪Martin Heinrich Klaproth 1798 from the Latin word for the Earth, tellus. Often found in ores with Au, Colorado town Telluride named, thought to sit atop lots of such ore, it didn't #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

51 Antimony Sb, many theories inc. popular one from Greek ἀντίμοναχός anti-monachos - monk killer, ref. to the poisonous nature of element & monks work as early alchemists. Symbol from Latin stibium from element cont. ore stibnite #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

50 Tin Sn, possibly from ancestor of Cornish language name stean, supply mainly from region in 1st centuries AD. Name became zinn in Germanic langs but stannum in Latin, name AG-Pb alloy but made name for tin from 4c AD - root symbol #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

49 Indium In, discovered using spectroscopy 1873🇩🇪Ferdinand Reich & Hieronymous Theodor Richter because of a distinctive blue colour emitted. Named after colour indigo which comes from the Latin indicum, word for Indian colour dyes #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

48 Cadmium Cd, name from zinc ore in which the metal was first discovered 1817🇩🇪Friedrich Stromeyer & Karl Samuel Leberecht Hermann. Ore named cadmia in Greek καδμεία after first Greek hero Κάδμος Cadmus, the founder of Thebes #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

47 Silver Ag, from old English seolfer the word is of unknown origin, possibly Akkadian ṣurpum from ṣarāpum meaning to smelt. Takes symbol from Latin name of metal argentum also meaning white money, reference to its white colour. #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

46 Palladium Pa, discovered & named 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿William Hyde Wollaston 1803 after Asteroid Pallas discovered 1802 🇩🇪Heinrich Wilhelm Matthäus Olbers, named from Ancient Greek: Παλλάς pallas an alternate name for goddess Athena #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

45 Rhodium Rh, from Ancient Greek ῥόδον rhódon meaning rose after pink colour of its hydrated chlorine salts produced during extraction using aqua regia (1:3 nitric-hydrochloric acid mix) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿William Hyde Wollaston 1803 #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

44 Ruthenium Ru, named after the Latin for Russia Ruthenia by discoverer 🇷🇺🇩🇪Karl Ernst Claus 1844. Almost discovered 1827 🇩🇪Gottfried Osann, also named it ruthenium as hints were found in ores from the Ural mountains in Russia #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

43 Technetium Tc, lightest element whose isotopes all radioactive. 1st element to be artificially synthesized 1937 by 🇮🇹Carlo Perrier & Emilio Segrè, hence name form Greek τεχνητός technitos for artificial. Mendeleev's ekamanganese #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

42 Molybdenum Mo, similar to graphite ore molybdenite from Ancient Greek Μόλυβδος molybdos for lead as confused for lead ore. 1778 🇸🇪Carl Wilhelm Scheele identified it as containing a new element, isolated 1781🇸🇪Peter Jacob Hjelm #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

41 Niobium Nb, named after Niobe from Greek mythology daughter of Tantulus because of remarkable similarity to Tantalum. Formerly called columbium after Nb containing mineral columbite, itself named after Christopher Columbus #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

At the end of The Secret Life of the Periodic Table I talk of the search for new elements. The next discovery is very unlikely to be element 119. Element hunting has now entered the realm of nuclear physics !

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

40 Zirconium Zr, minerals mentioned in biblical writing including red zircon from Arabic زَرْقُون zarqūn meaning bright red. Not known to contain new element until 1789 🇩🇪Martin Heinrich Klaproth named element Zirkonerde (zirconia) #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

39 Yttrium Y, 1of4 elements named after village of Ytterby in Sweden. New mineral named ytterbite 1787 🇸🇪Carl Axel Arrhenius, oxide extracted 🇫🇮Johan Gadolin 1789 named yttria, element extracted 1828 🇩🇪Friedrich Wöhler #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

38 Strontium Sr, the only element to be named after a place in 🇬🇧 taking its name from the small Scottish town of Strontian as the element was discovered in an ore from the lead mines called strontianite #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

37 Rubidium Rb, discovered 1861 by 🇩🇪 chemists Robert Bunsen (of burner fame) and Gustav Kirchhoff, it gave a distinct deep red spectrum of light when heated which also led to the name from the Latin rubidus meaning deep red. #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

36 Krypton Kr, discovered in 🇬🇧 1898 by Scotsman Sir William Ramsay and Englishman Morris Travers as residue of air left after most had evaporated. They named it from Ancient Greek κρυπτός kryptos meaning the hidden one #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

35 Bromine Br, from Ancient Greek βρῶμος bromos meaning stench because of its sharp foul smell. Discovered independently by 🇩🇪 Carl Jacob Löwig 1825 from spring water and 🇫🇷 Antoine Jérôme Balard 1826 from ash of burnt seaweed #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

34 Selenium Se, discovered and named by discovered in 1817 by 🇸🇪 chemist extraordinaire Jöns Jacob Berzelius from Ancient Greek for Moon σελήνη selḗnē as it had similarities to recently discovered Tellurium named after the Earth #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

33 Arsenic As, known since ancient times Greek named the yellow allotrope of the element ἀρσενικόν arsenikón influenced by ἀρσενικός arsenikós meaning potent maybe because heating it makes strong garlic smelling As₂O₃ #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

32 Germanium Ge, Mendeleev's eka-silicon. Discovered 🇩🇪German chemist Clemens Winkler 1886 originally named neptunium after discovery of Neptune 1884 but that was in running for another element so named it after his country instead #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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Ben Still @drbenstill.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

31 Gallium Ga, from Latin Gallia meaning Gaul by 🇫🇷 chemist and discoverer Paul Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran 1875 after his country, also maybe after himself as Le Coq is French for rooster, gallus in Latin. Mendeleev's eka-aluminium #etymology #Elements #PeriodicTable #Chemistry #Science #Language

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