Victoria Atkinson is a freelance science journalist, specializing in chemistry and its interface with the natural and human-made worlds. Currently based in York (UK), she formerly worked as a science content developer at the University of Oxford, and later as a member of the Chemistry World editorial team.
For the first time, scientists have revealed crucial properties of the mysterious, radioactive substance promethium — nearly eight decades after the elusive rare earth element was discovered.
'Scarce and difficult to study'Promethium itself, which was discovered by ORNL scientists in 1945, has a few minor applications in atomic batteries and cancer diagnostics. But scientists have a very limited understanding of the element's chemistry, precluding more widespread uses. ORNL is the U.S.' only producer of promethium-147, an isotope of the element with a radioactive half-life of 2.6 years. Using a method developed last year, the researchers separated this isotope from nuclear reactor waste streams, creating the purest possible sample for study.
Then, the team combined this sample with a ligand — a molecule specially designed to trap metal atoms — to form a stable complex in water. The coordinating molecule, known as PyDGA, formed nine promethium-oxygen bonds, giving researchers the first-ever opportunity to analyze the bonding properties of a promethium complex."Because promethium is radioactive, once it's decaying, it's getting transmuted into the adjacent element, which is samarium," Ivanov said.
"Promethium was the last puzzle piece among those elements," Popovs said. The ligand provided a way to have a stable complex for all of the lanthanides — the same element ratios and the same kind of geometry. That allowed the team to"study the fundamental physical chemical properties of these complexes across the whole series," Popovs explained.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
![Victoria and Trevor's Emotional Journey After 'Grand Cayman: Secrets In Paradise' [Interview]](https://i.headtopics.com/images/2024/5/28/collider/victoria-and-trevor-s-emotional-journey-after-gran-victoria-and-trevor-s-emotional-journey-after-gran-2F054D0F5E1A1560B23A04A9DCE4AC4B.webp?w=640)
Victoria and Trevor's Emotional Journey After 'Grand Cayman: Secrets In Paradise' [Interview]Victoria Coleman and Trevor Coleman pose for &39;Grand Cayman_ Secrets In Paradise&39; promo
Read more »
John Atkinson | ScreenRantJohn Atkinson has been a news and feature writer for Screen Rant since late 2018. Before that, he had articles published across a number of different outlets. A graduate of the University of London, John was raised on a small island by television and movies.
Read more »
Kenny Atkinson is the betting favorite to become next Lakers coach. Does he already have the job?Kenny Atkinson, JJ Redick among betting favorites to become next Lakers coach
Read more »
Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, JJ Redick, Tyronn Lue, Charles Lee On Lakers' Head Coach ListMike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, JJ Redick, Tyronn Lue, Charles Lee On Lakers' Head Coach List - RealGM Wiretap
Read more »
Lakers to consider Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson after firing Ham: reportThe Lakers fired Darvin Ham after two playoff seasons.
Read more »
Two New Candidates Emerge in Lakers' Search to Replace Darvin HamLakers will look at Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson in coaching search.
Read more »