This new molecule could point the way to safe disposal of nuclear waste
- A new molecule named Berkelocene was created by researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory using berkelium, which is rare and radioactive, with only 0.3 micrograms acquired for experimentation.
- The discovery may help humanity safely dispose of nuclear waste, as discussed by principal investigator Polly Arnold.
- A team led by Stefan Minasian and Polly Arnold combined berkelium with an organic molecule to create a chemical reaction.
- Berkelocene's unique molecular structure was observed for the first time, showcasing the unique nature of the molecule.
17 Articles
17 Articles

This new molecule could point the way to safe disposal of nuclear waste
After a year of fastidious planning, a microscopic sample of the ultra-rare radioactive element berkelium arrived at a Berkeley Lab in California. With just 48 hours to experiment before it would become unusable, a group of nearly 20 researchers focused intently on creating a brand-new molecule. Using a chemical glove box, a polycarbonate glass box with protruding gloves that shields substances from oxygen and moisture, scientists combined the b…
Golden Nuggets: Berkelocene, and a whole mess of Athletes of the Week!
Hello and welcome to Golden Nuggets! In this weekly write up, we try our best to cover all things Cal, Berkeley, Bearkeley, UC Berkeley, University of Cal Berkeley, University of Berkeley at Cal, BerkeleyInspire, and California State University Berkeley that happened more or less in the last week! Let’s dig in!UC Berkeley Chemistry Department - 17, Stanford University Pee-Wee Chemistry Department - 0Oski using berkelocene to clean up toxic waste…
Berkeley Lab's 48-Hour race against time with new molecule berkelocene: A step toward safer nuclear waste management?
With just two days to work before their microscopic sample of ultra-rare berkelium degraded, scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory created “berkelocene”—a brand-new molecule that could offer insights for safely managing nuclear waste. While berkelocene itself won’t be directly used in nuclear waste management, the research holds clues for safer approaches. Nuclear waste contains problematic… The post Berkeley Lab’s 48-Hour race aga…
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