Readers react to extreme nuclei, recycled batteries and more

Nuclear wonders

A new particle accelerator at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams will help scientists unlock the inner workings of atomic nuclei and explore how elements form in the cosmos, Emily Conover reported in “In search of extreme nuclei” (SN: 11/20/21, p. 20).

Conover reported that a rare variety of lithium, called lithium-11, has two extra neutrons that form a wide halo around the nucleus, expanding the nucleus’ size.