New study dramatically narrows the search for advanced life in the universe

Re:New study dramatically narrows the search for advanced li... by m1el on Wednesday June 12, 2019 @04:14AM (#20162684)

I researched this topic for a while, and I came to conclusion that Si-based life is nearly impossible for several reasons.

> Silicon dioxide melting point: 1710 °C

No complex chemistry can survive these temperatures. SiO2 is only soluble in HCl and HF, which are very reactive, so no solubility either.

> Also I don't see why you couldn't have an organism that "breathes" solid material.

All of known biological chemistry relies on some sort of solubility for reagents. I don't think there's any known organism that can get rid of solid waste from the entire volume of the organism.

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Re:New study dramatically narrows the search for advanced li... by ars on Wednesday June 12, 2019 @11:12AM (#20165407)

You could react silicon with fluoride instead of oxygen. Silicon tetrafluoride melts at −90 °C (and boils at -86).

You can also have chlorine as your oxidizer and make Silicon tetrachloride which melts at −68.74 °C and boils at 57.65 °C, that temperature range is perfect.

What else will change by having a chlorine instead of oxygen atmosphere?

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