Tricky element isolated from spent nuclear fuel
New strategy for extracting americium could pave way for recycling hazardous waste
![nuclear plant](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/110515_ag_nuclearwaste_free.jpg?fit=860%2C460&ssl=1)
WASTE BUILDUP U.S. nuclear power plants, including the Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station in Newport, Mich., store their waste. Eventually engineers may make used fuel safer in part by extracting the radioactive element americium.
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