Now for real: kryptonite
It's not just a fictional superhero-retardant anymore. Recently, scientists discovered a strange new mineral deep in a remote Serbian mine, the unique chemical makeup of which just happened to match that of comic-book legend. Turns out sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide was the name written on a case of rock containing kryptonite stolen by Lex Luther from a museum in the film Superman Returns. So what's the real skinny on kryptonite? Its white, not green, and it doesn't glow, either. According to minerologist Chris Stanley, though, it could have some commercial value: "Borosilicate glasses are used to encapsulate processed radioactive waste, and lithium is used in batteries and in the pharmaceutical industries." Whether or not it can kill Superman, however, remains to be seen.