Iron Oxide Electron Hopping (IMAGE) DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Caption Iron oxide (rust) is a poor electrical conductor, but electrons in iron oxide can use thermal energy to hop from one iron atom to another. A Berkeley Lab experiment has revealed exactly what happens to electrons after being transferred to an iron oxide particle. Credit Image courtesy of Benjamin Gilbert, Berkeley Lab Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.