Plutonium may be the most feared and fearsome substance in the entire periodic table. It's best known as the main ingredient of atomic bombs like the infamous Fat Man, dropped on Nagasaki on 9 August ...

You can hold plutonium in your hand, but it has the potential to destroy entire cities. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Plutonium ...

A safe, cost effective way of immobilising five tons of contaminated plutonium residues, part of the UK’s 140 ton plutonium inventory has been demonstrated by engineers from the University of ...

Plutonium has captured the attention of scientists since its discovery in the early 1940s. This enigmatic element has an important role to play in emerging energy technologies like nuclear batteries ...

Recycling plutonium is dangerous and costly. Britain should take the lead on direct disposal, say Frank von Hippel, Rodney Ewing, Richard Garwin and Allison ...

Scientists have developed a method of reacting highly unstable elements, such as plutonium and uranium with more stable substances in order to create compounds that are environmentally friendly and ...

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), whose tenth review conference is coming up in August, is in trouble, and not only because of the crescendo of complaints about the failure of the ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. When the United States broke off cease-fire talks with Russia over ...

In 1977, the Voyager 1 spacecraft left Earth on a five-year mission to explore Jupiter and Saturn. Thirty-six years later, the car-size probe is still exploring, still sending its findings home. It ...

Plutonium is a radioactive, silver metal that can be used to create or destroy. While it was used for destruction soon after it was made, today the element is used mostly for creating energy ...

Plutonium generated by nuclear plants is often contaminated with highly Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.