When Will We Reach the End of the Periodic Table?
Even with new elements in hand, scientists are struggling to predict the future of the iconic chemical roadmap. By Devin Powell, Smithsonian, January 2016.
"In our daily lives, we rely on many metals that are either uncommon, environmentally damaging, or located almost solely in places like China, Bolivia, or the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (i.e., not nations the U.S. is always on good terms with). What's the risk that one day we won't be able to depend on any of these elements?
That's the question asked by researchers from Yale University, who have now catalogued how much we’re in danger of putting all our eggs in one basket. By Jessica Leber, April, 2015