Sensing Electrons on the Edge

Plutonium is notorious for its radioactive properties, but in his Perspective, [Lander][1] draws attention to another property of this element: its unusual electronic properties that have long defied explanation. A recent theoretical study has overcome the problems associated with simulating the electron correlations in solid plutonium. The simulation shed light on the movement of atoms in the solid. Now, [ Wong et al .][2] report experimental results that agree extremely well with the simulations. Together, the two studies provide important insights into the elastic and thermodynamic properties of plutonium. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/301/5636/1057 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/301/5636/1078