Scientists have   demonstrated for the first metre the atomic excitation by electron capture   ( NEEC ) , an effect that is believed to be important in the phylogenesis of sure stars and that tolerate these object to bring out elements heavier than atomic number 26 .

NEEC happens when an atomic karyon captures a free negatron and get to a higher vigor state . When this happens , the decay of the isotope is accelerated through a specific excitation pathway and   the expelling of gamma ray . The research , published inNature , looked at the exotic isotope molybdenum-93 , with the international team able to witness the signature tune of the NEEC unconscious process for the first time .

Molybdenum-93 does n’t occur naturally and , unlike almost all the other versions of the element ( with more or less atom ) , is   unsound . Its half - life , the time it takes one-half of a sample to decay , is usually in   the order of 4,000 geezerhood . However , when the nucleus undergoes NEEC , it scale down this to about seven hours . This could be used to count on the natural selection charge per unit of sure elements inside stars , and it could preferentially thin the teemingness of sure molecule instead of others .

“ The NEEC phenomenon change the nucleus lifetime so that it survives for a shorter amount of time in a star , ” co - writer Dr Greg Lane , from the ANU Research School of Physics and Engineering , allege in astatement . “ The copiousness of the unlike elements in a star depends primarily on the structure and conduct of atomic nuclei . ”

The uncovering was possible thanks to the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility at the Australia National University , where free negatron collided with the atoms . It was a coaction between researchers and institution from Australia , the United States , Russia , and Poland .

The task leader was the US Army Research Laboratory , and the noetic for   investigating this phenomenon is the potential role of NEEC   –   which was first suggest in 1976 – as an free energy origin . The phenomenon can lead to an energy density 100,000 time greater than chemical substance batteries .

“ Our study demonstrated a newfangled way to give up the get-up-and-go stored in a long - live atomic land , which the US Army Research Laboratory is concerned to explore further , ” he said .

This is clearly interesting for both theoretical and technical practical software , but do n’t require NEEC batteries any meter soon .