Wikipedia.org has a discussion on the spelling of aluminum versus aluminium. Either is apparently considered an acceptable spelling in the scientific world.

Aluminium appears to be the more accepted spelling by scientific groups around the world. But in the U.S. aluminum is more commonly used.

At some point in time my science colleagues will probably decide to make a formal decision on which one scientists should be using. My own vote would go for aluminum as it is shorter and easier to pronounce.

ALUMINUM AS AN ENERGY SOURCE

One of my important research projects not related to earthquakes involves attempts to get the energy industry interested in using aluminum as an energy transfer medium instead of relying on carbon based fuels such as gasoline, coal, oil, natural gas, or other mediums such as hydrogen and even electric power wires.

Under the right conditions, aluminum will burn with an intense heat making it a good source of energy. And after burning what is left is a gritty powder that can be recycled into metallic aluminum and used again.

When it is burned with sufficient care there should be no pollution, just a lot of heat to get rid of. And if the “burning” process is done through the use of chemical solutions instead of within an oxygen atmosphere then there might not even be much heat waste generated.

Aluminum can be easily transported from one location to another with complete safety and will remain stable for an almost indefinite period of time virtually anywhere it is stored.

It is also relatively safe and nonpolluting (within reason) in either its pure metal or aluminum oxide forms.

As the third most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and the most abundant metal in the crust it represents a virtually inexhaustible raw material for use by anyone.

However, it must be remembered that it takes lots of energy to convert the metal oxide into the pure metal. Aluminum metal doesn’t ordinarily exist by itself in nature and provide us with energy for free.