Japanese scientists propose to me element 113 'Nihonium'

Tokyo, June 8: Japanese researchers who discovered element number 113 of the periodic table have proposed ming it ‘Nihonium’ (Nh), officials said on Wednesday. Japanese research institute Riken has sent its proposal to the Intertiol Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) — the highest authority in the field — which is expected to announce the official me for the new element by the end of the year, EFE news reported. ‘Nihonium’ alludes to ‘Nihon’, the Japanese me for the Asian island tion, officials said. In December, the Zurich-based organisation conceded the credit for the discovery of the synthetic element to Riken, granting it the right to give it an official me. Up until now, element number 113 has been labelled with the provisiol me ‘uruntrio’. The new synthetic element has 113 protons in its nucleus, and was identified by a team headed by Japanese scientist Kosuke Morita, from the University of Kyushu. (ians)