Why do people keep writing about the imaginary compound Cr2Gr2Te6?
15 days ago
- #misinformation
- #academic errors
- #scientific publishing
- A typographical error in the formula Cr2Gr2Te6 (instead of Cr2Ge2Te6) was found in a Science paper and subsequently copied in multiple publications.
- The error involves the incorrect use of 'Gr' instead of 'Ge' (germanium), likely due to keyboard proximity and scanning better.
- Several papers and a book chapter from 2021 to 2023 repeated the erroneous formula, highlighting how easily mistakes propagate in academic literature.
- Concerns were raised about AI potentially perpetuating such errors as misinformation if not corrected.
- References and comments discuss broader issues in academic publishing, including lack of proofreading, replication crises, and AI-generated fake papers.
- Additional context includes discussions on the difference between compounds and alloys, and examples of other persistent errors in scientific literature.