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In October 2010, the Quantum AetherDynamic Institute debuted two periodic tables based on research from David Thomson, a science author. The tables combine equations that quantify the nuclear and electron structures of atoms. You can find them under the names of the Pauling Spheron Periodic Table and the Vajra Periodic Table.
Thomson based his work on previous research, and he gives credit to Fernando Dufour for creating a 3D model of the electron periodic table. Thomson took this model and divided it into two structures to focus the table on an atom’s electron structure. When he did this, Thomson noticed the design was similar to the ancient Vajra symbol, which is part of the Buddhist tantra.
The Pauling Spheron Periodic Table credits Linus Pauling, who identified a spheron as early as 1970s. While people often mistake this term to mean spherical in shape, this is not how Pauling used it. Spheron refers to the idea that an atom’s nucleus may contain clusters. These clusters can occur when smaller elements nest inside larger ones. For example, uranium may have a cluster of helium inside its nucleus.
Clustering, or the spheron structure of an element, determines what a nucleus might release as it decays. In the case of uranium, the stable nucleus of the helium element would release as the outer shell of uranium decayed. The more closely certain elements bond, the more likely they are to cluster together. One can consider the bonding properties of oxygen and helium to understand this better.
Because Pauling’s idea varies radically from a traditional periodic table, Thomson created an updated model that takes into consideration the spheron of elements, which he calls spin geometry. The Pauling table also utilizes the “magic numbers” for each nucleus, as determined by Pauling.
The periodic tables are available in wall charts for teachers wanting to display them in classrooms.
