Universal linear accelerator: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:34, 6 April 2006

Revision as of 12:22, 2 June 2006

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{{cleanup-date|January 2006}}

The '''Uni'''versal '''L'''inear '''Ac'''celerator is based at the Heavy Ion Research Centre ([[Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung|GSI]]) near [[Darmstadt]], [[Germany]]. Its use has produced, in the past 20 years, elements [[unnilseptium|107]] to [[ununbium|112]] and the creation of element [[ununtrium|113]] is expected very soon. It is a [[linear]] [[particle accelerator]] that can accelerate any [[atomic nucleus|nuclei]], incluingincluding nuclei of heavy atoms. This allows it to generate superheavy [[transactinides]].

However, there has been some controversy due of the lack of real practical uses for these new synthesised elements, mainly due to their short lifespans of up to 30 seconds. However, it is possible that in the future more stable isotopes of these elements will be found, and these could have practical applications.