def shield_split(shield_string):
    """

    Parse the electron configuration string, dividing up into the different orbital
    shells.
    
    *args*:

        - **shield_string**: string, electron configuration
        
    *return*:

        - **parsed_shield**: list of separated orbital components
    
    ***
    """
    alphas = []
    for s in range(len(shield_string)):
        if shield_string[s].isalpha():
            alphas.append(s)
    parsed_shield = []
    for s in range(len(alphas) - 1):
        parsed_shield.append(shield_string[alphas[s] - 1:alphas[s + 1] - 1])
    parsed_shield.append(shield_string[alphas[-1] - 1:])
    return parsed_shield
