Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) recently made a groundbreaking discovery about the rare radioactive element, promethium. A team at the lab published a landmark study that could potentially rewrite chemistry textbooks. It marks the first time scientists have uncovered key characteristics of promethium, a vital element that is used in nuclear batteries for pacemakers and space exploration.
Promethium is known for its scarcity, with only about one pound existing on Earth at any given time. ORNL is the sole producer of promethium-147 in the U.S., utilizing the High Flux Isotope Reactor to create unique materials. The lab’s capabilities extend to producing plutonium-238 for NASA space missions and californium-252 for starting up nuclear reactors.
The discovery of promethium filled a gap in the periodic table, adding to the group of lanthanides used in modern technologies such as smartphones and car batteries. The recent research on promethium could lead to new applications and help scientists expand their understanding of this element.
The study, led by ORNL scientists, revealed hidden features of promethium that could enhance the efficiency of separating lanthanides. This new information has the potential to improve processes in various industries using lanthanides.
ORNL has a rich legacy of discovering elements, including moscovium in 2003 and tennessine in 2010. The lab’s commitment to scientific innovation continues to drive research in exploring new elements and advancing technology.
Overall, the significance of ORNL’s research on promethium lies in its potential to reshape the scientific landscape and open up new possibilities for using this rare element in diverse applications.
