A superheavy atom factory is at the forefront of creating super-heavy elements that challenge the periodic table's limits. Scientists are using advanced technology like cyclotrons to discover and study these short-lived, heavy elements.

Exploring the creation of super-heavy elements in a labyrinth of pipes and chambers, this chapter delves into the international quest to unravel the mysteries of these elusive elements. From Mendeleev's groundbreaking work on the periodic table to the modern challenges of discovering and understanding these fleeting elements, the journey through the world of heavy elements is both complex and fascinating.

Scientists utilize particle accelerators like cyclotrons to create super heavy elements with more protons than naturally occurring elements, such as curium and plutonium. These elements are highly unstable and decay quickly, requiring meticulous data analysis for confirmation.

Researchers at Livermore and Russian experts collaborated to discover elements 114 through 118, shedding light on the unique behavior of super heavy elements due to relativistic effects. Dr. Shaughnessy and Dr. Gates are now focused on studying the known super heavy elements to confirm their correct placement on the periodic table.

The Lawrence Berkeley National Labs' cyclotron Fiona is a cutting-edge tool designed to study super-heavy elements by experimentally confirming their mass numbers. The process involves creating a super-heavy element using a beam from the cyclotron that fuses with a target nucleus, a challenging task due to the small size of nuclei.

Researchers at Livermore are using advanced techniques like the Berkeley gas field separator and Fiona to study the chemistry of new heavy elements by trapping atoms in a small volume and exploring their reactions with different gases.