RADIOACTIVE

Crystals of an experimental compound that contains californium(III) bound to a pyridine derivative luminesce when excited by 420-nm light. Samantha Cary, a chemistry graduate student in the lab of Thomas Albrecht-Schmitt at Florida State University, is studying structure and bonding in the actinide series of the periodic table. A better understanding of these elements may provide insights into separation and storage of actinide isotopes in nuclear waste.

Credit: Samantha Cary (Enter our photo contest here)