Cataclysm-dda: Bismuth needs some love

[cake-pie]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

The item "bismuth" exists:

bismuth in /items/resources/metals.json
"A dense but brittle metal often used as an alternative to lead."

However, it currently does not (yet) serve any meaningful gameplay purpose:

• it only appears in recipes as a 1-for-1 alternative for lead
• there are few sources for it (e.g. disassembly of pro fishing rod and a couple of ammo types)

In contrast, gold and silver, which are also lead-substitutes e.g. in ammo_bullet in /requirements/materials.json, have a multitude of other sources and uses.

Describe the solution you'd like

Give bismuth more distinctive uses, and maybe add a few more ways to obtain it.
Medical uses might be a good place to start.

Describe alternatives you've considered
https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA/issues/24843#issuecomment-414644513 : Considered removing it / merging it into lead if it does not have any distinct recipe use other than as a lead substitute.

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Possible sources

• [ ] pink bismuth (pepto-bismol)
  
  
  
  • chemical extraction (youtube)
  
  
  • burning at sufficiently high temperature
  
  

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Possible uses

Keeping a list to track various options for discussion; checking off when implemented / rejected.

Medical

Need people with a background in med / pharm / chem to look into these and their recipes.

• [ ] anesthetic: implementation ongoing at #24567

• [ ] This exists: "antiseptic powder" bfipowder -- "A powdered form of chemical disinfectant, this bismuth formic iodide cleans wounds quickly and painlessly."

  • need someone knowledgeable to look into adding a bismuth component to the recipe.

• [ ] digestive tract issues

  • needs diseases implemented to justify having the cures.
    
    
    
    • diarrhea: dirty water, uncooked/unheated food
    
    
    • indigestion: caused by overeating, eating too quickly, eating high-fat foods, drinking too much alcohol or coffee
    
    
    • heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux disease / other gastrointestinal disorder) -- don't really seem suitable for in-game implementation
    
    
  • drugs:
    
    
    
    • Pink bismuth (Bismuth subsalicylate aka Pepto-Bismol) is an antacid ... used to treat diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn and nausea. (wikipedia)
    
    
    • "Milk of bismuth" (an aqueous solution of bismuth hydroxide and bismuth subcarbonate) was marketed as an alimentary cure-all in the early 20th century (wikipedia)
    
    
    • Bismuth carbonate (Bi2(CO3)3) is used to treat diarrhea and gastric ulcers. (source)
    
    
    • Bismuth Subcarbonate (BiO)2-C-O3 : Antacid, antidiarrheal, topical astringent (source)
    
    

Alloys / Metallurgical

Not sure if metallurgy should have a significant place in the game.
Of course, metallurgy -> new materials -> need to find uses for those too!

• [ ] solder -- already exists, could look into making it craftable.

• bismuth bronze is a suitable "simple" alloy if some basic metallurgy is allowed

• specialty alloys ( 1, 2 ) unlikely that we're going into that level of detail

  • Bismanol, an alloy of bismuth and manganese, is a permanent magnet of high coercive force (a measure of magnetization) ... It was used in small motors. (source)

Pigments, cosmetics

I don't think so, unless someone can make a really compelling case.

Catalyst

Most likely too complex/detailed for inclusion in the game.

• bismuth compounds are used as catalysts in the manufacturing process of synthetic fiber and rubber (source)
• an electrocatalyst in the conversion of CO2 to CO (wikipedia)

[cainiaowu]

It was added in https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA/pull/4305 and without any further maintenance since then. We might as well drop it.

[cake-pie]

That was my inclination as well, but Kevin https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA/issues/24843#issuecomment-414901703 :

Bismuth is distinct chemically, and is potentially very useful in that role.

So I figured let's give it a chance, see if anyone has ideas for something useful to do with it.

[cainiaowu]

Just check the json, I dont think you can current get bismuth item at all, the only way get one spawned is in "npc_misc" itemgroup which I believe is made via some scripting.

Again, we dont need to bloat the json as they are already very bloated.

By the way, despite "fishing_rod_professional" recipe require "bismuth"/"lead", it is considered made of only "plastic". So yeah.

[AndrewMcKinney]

As far as I can tell its uses are:

1. Catalysts for rubber and some other synthetic materials
2. Alloys with low melting points
3. Makes fairly powerful magnets
4. replacement for lead

Sources:
https://www.livescience.com/39451-bismuth.html
www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/83/bismuth

[kevingranade]

As it turns out, #24567 uses it.

Generally, "bloat" is not a reason to remove anything.

[cake-pie]

Added catalog of possible sources / applications to OP based on what I found + input from @bananaedmonkey

Set some up options as tasks (with checkboxes) as they seem reasonable/viable for inclusion.
Ruled out other possibilities as they seem out of scope for the game.

Need input/discussion esp. from folks with relevant background (med/chem/pharm , metallurgy).
(My knowledge about these = what I can find on the internet.)

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