Chemist Maxim Bilovitsky notes that scientists have learned to synthesize nihonium, the priciest chemical element currently known. He contends that a single gram could command more money than the value of the planet, and finding steady buyers remains a challenge in the market for such an ultra-rare material.
Nihonium is the 113th element on the periodic table and does not occur naturally on Earth. Creating it requires advanced synthesis in a particle accelerator. The process begins with calcium, from which a rare isotope called calcium-48 must be extracted. This isotope is not found in nature in any meaningful quantity, so it must be produced in specialized facilities before it can be used in further steps to reach nihonium.
In the experimental sequence, metallic calcium and its ions would need to be accelerated to extreme speeds, approaching one tenth the speed of light, before they participate in the complex chain of reactions necessary to generate nihonium. The overall pathway involves a combination of careful target preparation, high-energy collisions, and precise control over reaction environments, with each stage carrying substantial uncertainty.
Historically, the creation of nihonium has required the collision and fusion of heavier nuclei. In early demonstrations, researchers achieved nihonium by fusing elements such as bismuth and californium within a specialized accelerator. These experiments demanded meticulous planning, substantial time, and ample resources, yielding only a handful of nihonium atoms at a time. The rarity and fleeting nature of nihonium mean that measurement and observation must be conducted quickly and with highly sensitive instrumentation.
Nihonium is a very heavy transuranic element with a short half-life. Its properties and chemical behavior are not yet fully mapped, and scientists continue to study its reactions and potential roles in broader nuclear science. Although practical applications have not been demonstrated, nihonium offers valuable insights into the structure and behavior of superheavy elements, guiding ongoing research into nuclear stability and element synthesis.
The name nihonium honors the country of its discovery, Japan, reflecting the international collaboration that characterizes modern atomic research. As one of the newest additions to the periodic table, nihonium remains primarily of scientific interest. Its discovery enhances understanding of transuranium elements and supports the development of future materials and technologies that could arise from deeper knowledge of superheavy elements.