From Jonny Coleman, Brunel University
In the feature on superatoms – clusters of atoms of a particular chemical element that can take on the properties of different elements – I am surprised Philip Ball did not mention the possibility of creating superatoms (16 April, p 30) which mimic the properties of the theorised superheavy element 114 (17 July 1999, p 12).
At the very least the technique could hint at the chemistry such an element would have, and what technical applications could follow. Given that the most stable form of the element has not even been generated yet, I would think the superatom method should have been considered.
London, UK
