Einsteinium is mysterious. Scientists have unlocked some of its secrets
LANL-designed holder used for spectroscopic measurements, LANL photo.
David L. Clark, a scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory who was not involved with the research, said the end result was a “tour de force” and part of a renaissance in the study of these heavy elements ... and could be used in novel nuclear reactors or cancer therapies. “This kind of work hasn’t been done before,” Dr. Clark said. “It’s state of the art.”
During one of the early preparations, a sample was too acidic, causing a container to fail. Even though no radiation leaked out, Dr. Abergel said, “because we have so many safety protocols — and rightfully so — we were told we had to re-evaluate everything, reassess our techniques.”
Los Alamos National Laboratory, the birthplace of atomic bombs, designed a new container for the Berkeley team. That took a few months, and finally, Dr. Abergel and her colleagues were able to conduct their experiments. (Full Story)
Einsteinium complex isolated
Einsteinium (III) complex, from C&EN
Rebecca J. Abergel of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory co-led the research with Stosh A. Kozimor of Los Alamos National Laboratory. The researchers worked with less than 200 ng of 254Es, which was produced at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s High Flux Isotope Reactor.
The scientists measured the first bond length involving einsteinium and confirmed that the complex was in the +3 oxidation state. The research helps fill data gaps in the actinide series of elements and should enable researchers to better understand chemical and physical trends across the series. (Full Story)
Bond distance of rare element einsteinium is measured
Researchers placed a 250 ng sample in a specialized holder, which was 3D printed at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. With this setup, they could analyse the sample using X-ray absorption spectroscopy, carried out at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource. The sample was synthesized using the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge.
By measuring the resulting spectrum of the sample, which was complemented by the luminescence of the ligands, Abergel’s team determined the bond distance of einsteinium, which is crucial in understanding how metallic atoms bind to molecules. In addition, they uncovered aspects of einsteinium’s physical chemistry that deviate from expected trends across the actinide series. (Full Story)
LANL models show vaccine no magic bullet
At Los Alamos National Laboratory, we’re using mathematical models and computational simulations enabled by the laboratory’s supercomputing capabilities to understand how best to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine. And what we’ve learned is: While the vaccine is a critical weapon in fighting this virus, it’s not a magic bullet, at least not yet.
Our models look at individual communities based on government data. To understand the different outcomes based on how the vaccine will be distributed, we create various what-if scenarios that were developed in collaboration with local, state and federal governments to help them effectively plan for vaccine distribution and complementary mitigation strategies. (Full Story)
Microphones on NASA's rover will record audible sounds on Mars
Nina Lanza, LANL photo.
One of the microphones is on an instrument called SuperCam. That mic can be used to study wind speed and direction at the landing site. It can also be used to study rocks. Nina Lanza is a geologist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. SuperCam has a laser that shoots at rocks, revealing their chemical composition.
NINA LANZA: You can actually hear the change in the zapping sound as we penetrate through thin layers of material. That was really interesting to me because I'm really interested in rock coatings because that's a great place for microbes to live.
Or, in the case of Mars, microbes to once have lived. That's one of the goals of the Perseverance mission, to search for signs there might once have been life on Mars. Now, the microphone on SuperCam is for serious science. (Full Story)
The best books about Mars, by the Mars explorers themselves
Planetary scientists work under a handicap: Their laboratory is millions of miles away. Getting there requires competing with other researchers vying to get their instrument on one of NASA’s outbound spacecraft, followed by years of planning, building, testing, and waiting before ever seeing a scrap of data. Roger Wiens of the Los Alamos National Laboratory learned this difficult business on the 2001 Genesis mission to capture samples of the solar wind, then had an instrument accepted for Curiosity, called ChemCam, to study the chemistry of Mars rocks.
At Los Alamos he had seen his first demonstration of a technique called LIBS, for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy—a fancy name for zapping a rock with a laser, then observing the resulting flash to determine the rock’s chemical makeup. (Full Story)
Los Alamos Medal winners recognized for revolutionary contributions
Fred Mortensen (left) and Bette Korber, LANL photo.
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) announced today that two scientists have been awarded the Los Alamos Medal, the Laboratory’s highest honor, for revolutionary scientific contributions to national security and science. Fred Mortensen and Bette Korber are recognized for their distinguished achievements that have enhanced the success of the Laboratory.
“Throughout their careers, Fred and Bette have made significant impacts to the success of the Laboratory and helped make the world a safer, better place,” LANL Director Thom Mason said. “Stockpile stewardship would not be where it is today without Fred’s contributions, and Bette’s work in vaccine design is unparalleled. I am proud that these exceptional individuals work at our Laboratory.” (Full Story)
New virtual platform shows students the science behind everyday objects
What makes bread rise? Why does hand sanitizer keep you from getting sick? How does a microwave oven heat your food? These are just a few of the concepts covered in the new virtual learning platform, See the Science, unveiled in celebration of International Women and Girls in Science Day, February 11, 2021.
“I want our Laboratory’s education-outreach projects to inspire all students, and particularly girls in New Mexico,” said Laboratory Director Thom Mason. “That’s why I congratulate our See the Science partners, especially Laboratory scientist Harshini Mukundan, an AAAS If/Then Ambassador who has spent the last year inspiring young women to pursue science through initiatives like this.” (Full Story)
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