European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

A team of scientists has discovered a new, stable form of plutonium – and done so by accident. The famously unstable element is tricky to transport, store and dispose of, but the find could lead to new ways to tackle those problems.

Scientists have determined the structure of the highly-absorbent mineral used in cat litter, and may now be able to produce a synthetic version that could be used in many other applications.