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Flerovium (Fl, element 114) is the heaviest element chemically studied so far. To date, its interaction with gold was investigated in two gas-solid chromatography experiments, which reported two different types of interaction, however, each based on the level of a few registered atoms only. Whereas noble-gas-like properties were suggested from the first experiment, the second one pointed at a volatile-metal-like character. Here, we present further experimental data on adsorption studies of Fl on silicon oxide and gold surfaces, accounting for the inhomogeneous nature of the surface, as it was used in the experiment and analyzed as part of the reported studies. We confirm that Fl is highly volatile and the least reactive member of group 14. Our experimental observations suggest that Fl exhibits lower reactivity towards Au than the volatile metal Hg, but higher reactivity than the noble gas Rn. peerReviewed

Nuclear astrophysics aims to understand the origin of elements and the role of nuclear processes in astrophysical events. Nuclear reactions and reaction rates depend strongly on nuclear properties and on the astrophysical environment. Nuclear inputs for stellar reaction rates involve a variety of nuclear properties, theoretical models, and experimental data. Experiments providing data for nuclear astrophysics range from stable ion beam direct measurements to radioactive beam experiments employing inverse kinematics or indirect methods. Many properties relevant for astrophysical calculations, such as nuclear masses and β-decays, have also been intensively studied. This contribution shortly introduces selected astrophysical processes, discusses the related nuclear data needs, and gives examples of recent experimental and theoretical efforts in the field. peerReviewed

Ihmisiä on aina kiinnostanut, miten maailma on syntynyt. Kalevalassa kerrotaan maailman saaneen alkunsa kuudesta kultaisesta ja yhdestä rautaisesta munasta. Nykytieteen perustella toki tiedämme, ettei näin ole. nonPeerReviewed

Ajatus elementeistä tai alkuaineista (kreik. stoikheia) luonnontieteellisen selittämisen perustana on vaikutusvaltaisimpia antiikin kreikkalaisen tieteen yrityksistä hahmottaa fysikaalisen maailman luonnetta ja toimintaperiaatteita. Vaikka oppi neljästä elementistä (maa, vesi, ilma, tuli) tieteellisenä teoriana sai väistyä uuden ajan alussa erilaisten hiukkasteorioiden ja sittemmin tarkemmin hiotun kemiallisen alkuaineopin tieltä, ajatustottumus elää yhä vahvana arjessa ja folkloressa.