Super-heavy elements with an atomic number of 101 and higher are called the transfermium elements. All of these elements are synthetic, having been created artificially in laboratories. All are radioactive with very short half-lives.

When the creation of a new element is reported, it is given a provisional (systematic) name and a three-letter atomic symbol. These serve as a temporary placeholder name and symbol. When the discovery of a new element is independently verified, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) approves a permanent name and atomic symbol. Recently, the formal names and atomic symbols of three new elements have been approved by the IUPAC, replacing the provisional names and symbols. An older Periodic Table of Elements may not reflect these changes.

110 Darmstadtium Ds (formerly Ununnilium, Uun)

The first report of the synthesis of this element was made in 1987. Subsequent claims were reported in 1991, 1994, 1995, and 1998. The name Darmstadtium for element 110 was approved on August 16, 2003. It is named after the city of Darmstadt, Germany, where it was synthesized. The atomic symbol for Darmstadtium is Ds. Only a few atoms of Darmstadtium have ever been made.

111 Roentgenium Rg (formerly Unununium, Uuu)

Three atoms of this element were first synthesized in 1994. The name Roentgenium for element 111 was approved on November 1, 2004. It is named after the German physicist Wilhelm Konrad Röntgen who discovered X-rays in 1895. The atomic symbol for Roentgenium is Rg.

Note: The Periodic Table of Elements poster included with the Science 3 Manipulative Kit lists the former provisional name for element 111.

112 Copernicium Cn (formerly Ununbium, Uub)

A single atom of this element was synthesized on February 9, 1996, in Darmstadt, Germany. This experiment was repeated in 2000 and 2004, resulting in the formation of three additional atoms, but the IUPAC did not find sufficient evidence to support these claims. Further review led the IUPAC to officially recognize the new element in May of 2009. On February 19, 2010, the IUPAC officially accepted the new name and symbol for Copernicium. This element was named for the Renaissance scholar Nicolaus Copernicus on the 537th anniversary of his birth. It is the most massive element that is formally named.

113 Ununtrium Uut

See element 115 below.

114 Ununquadium Uuq

In January of 1999, a team of scientists at Dubna, Russia, informally reported the synthesis of a single atom of element 114. The team confirmed the synthesis of element 114 in additional experiments conducted in June of 1999. Only a few atoms of this element have ever been made and its discovery has not been confirmed by the IUPAC.

115 Ununpentium Uup

The synthesis of elements 113 and 115 was reported in February 2004. Only four atoms of each element were formed (the four atoms of element 115 decayed into four atoms of element 113). Japanese scientists also announced the synthesis of elements 113 and 115 in 2004. Russian scientists confirmed the synthesis of elements 113 and 115 in May of 2006. These elements have not been confirmed by the IUPAC.

116 Ununhexium Uuh

In a series of experiments from July 2000 to May 2005, a team of scientists at Dubna, Russia, reported the synthesis of element 116. At least 10 atoms and four isotopes of this short-lived element have been documented. The discovery of ununhexium has not been confirmed by the IUPAC.

117 Ununseptium Uus

In January 2010, a team of Russian and American scientists reported the synthesis of two isotopes of element 117. A total of six atoms were synthesized. These short-lived isotopes decayed into 11 different nuclei of other elements that had never been observed before. As with the synthesis of any new element, these results should be considered tentative until independently verified.

118 Ununoctium Uuo

Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California, announced the synthesis of element 118 in 1999. This claim was retracted in 2000 after several attempts to reproduce the results of the experiment were unsuccessful. In 2002, the director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory announced that the original claim was based on fabricated data.

A team of Russian scientists and scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, announced the synthesis of three atoms of element 118 on October 9, 2006. This element has not been confirmed by the IUPAC.

Note: The Periodic Table of Elements poster included with the Science 3 Manipulative Kit does not list any transfermium elements beyond element 112, Ununbium.