Iron Man performed by Robert Downey Jr. became a key figure in the world of superheroes whom the American people love so much. Love for a brilliant scientist with a specific sense of humor was transmitted to the whole world, and now even Captain America has overshadowed his popularity. A very interesting element is the Iron Man reactor, which he implanted into the body. Consider what kind of invention this is and how it is modified in each film.
What the Iron Man Reactor Is Made Of
A nuclear reactor is a power core made of palladium. He was the main source of energy for the first Iron Man costumes, and then Tony modified it to an advanced level to power the already improved costumes. The second reactor consists of the element that Tony Stark created in the second Iron man film.
Stark Industries once worked on a similar reactor, but it was destroyed when Pepper overloaded it. It is not known what happened to the reactor after this event. A similar device also serves as an energy source for the Stark Tower, and a smaller version was created to power the Iron Man costume.
Interesting facts about the arc reactor
- The described invention is based on the comic book reactor of the same name, both have almost the same appearance and functionality.
- In the plot of the film, the element created for the new Iron Man arc reactor is called vibranium. However, the film goes on to say that vibranium is a metal compound from the Wakanda region that was used to create Captain America’s shield. That is, it was not an element created by Howard Stark and used in an arc reactor. Thus, the element in the new reactor has not yet been named.
- The physical reaction Tony experiences when he inserts a nuclear reactor instead of a heart does not match the way heavy metal poisoning usually works. Although after removing the palladium reactor his health would have stabilized, to remove the metal already in his body, a many-month course of treatment would have been required.
Reactor types
Consider the reactors involved in the film:
- The original nuclear reactor. Created by Howard Stark, the large arc reactor powered Stark Industries for many years before Tony created his mini versions. Unable to defeat Obadiah Stein and his own version of the Iron Man costume, Tony lures him onto the roof of Stark Industries and forces Pepper Potts to restart the reactor. The resulting surge of energy disables the suit. Both characters fall under the explosion that burns Stein and his costume. Tony later uses a new element that he created based on the development of his father Howard to power the Stark Tower. He is also used by Loki to feed the Tesseract to create a wormhole.
- Palladium mini-reactors Mark I – III. Tony creates the Mark I palladium mini-arc reactor to power an electromagnet that keeps fragments from damaging his heart, like a car battery. He later uses it to power his Mark I suit, but upgrades his reactor to Mark II and abandons the first. Instead of throwing it away, Pepper Potts saves the device with a note "Proof that Tony Stark has a heart."
After the Iron Man reactor of Mark II steals Obadiah Stein, Tony, using his robot dummy, connects to this reactor and uses it to power the Mark III suit in the battle against Iron Monger. With Pepper's help, Tony kills Stein. He later replaced this reactor with a Mark III.