: Thanks for the comments. I hope Steve, or someone well versed enough with
: organic chemistry has an idea on the chemically-reactive Nebulons.
As I recall, I suggested a chemistry based on elemental sodium, but I'm not that well versed in chemistry and it has been many years. The problem is that you need something highly reactive in order to split CO2, which is pretty damn innert. Sodium is so reactive that you never really see it in elemental form in nature, although its very abundant. Elemental sodium actually exists as a metal and must be stored in oil (entirely hydrocarbon based), as it reacts with anything containing oxygen. This is just one possibility - and I'm not really sure how one could construct a metabolism based on a sodium CO2 cycle.
: Just curious: But is there a similar chemical reaction that could cause
: Humans to combust, with out H2O and Oxygen / Nitrogen based structure?
: Perhaps if enough pure oxygen was punmped into an area... but I'm looking
: more an a chemical reaction limited to the organic systems of the
: individual. I still want this Nebulon ship I've designed to have survived
: it's inhabitants Chemical-fire style demise.
It would take more than pure oxygen - although if the temperatue were high enough . . .
We need a real chemist to think about this. Anyone know someone who might fit the bill?