Most atoms lose or gain just a few negatively charged electrons from their environment,but not manganese. This element can donate up to seven electrons or wrench as many as three electrons away, abilities that can bear implications for water and soil quality. Scientists need to accurately count the number of electrons manganese has when present in materials and minerals. Led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and a team from the Smithsonian Institution and Penn State devised an easy-to-implement method that does just that. Their approach,based on detailed, controlled experiments and careful analysis, and lets others with access to an x-ray photoelectron spectrometer conduct their own measurements.
Source: phys.org