Discover super-heavy new elements

Physicists have discovered a super-heavy new element that scientists have dubbed the 'intermittent relationship'. Element 117 is nearly 40% heavier than lead and has been dubbed ununseptium temporarily, its name related to its atomic number.

Structure of the new element 117 - Photo: The New York Times

Researchers think the element could pave the way for synthesizing larger and more stable elements that could be used to create exotic and unpredictable new materials.

The discovery of this element 117 fills the last square on the periodic table of observed elements up to 118. Like all other superheavy elements, element 117 is unstable and only exists within a fraction of a second before destroying itself into a series of lighter elements and particles.

Dawn Shaughnessy of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, says these new super-heavy stabilizing elements could one day be used to create a new series of exotic materials with unimaginable scientific applications. .