Californium 252 is both a synthetic and radioactive element, named after the state of California and the lab in which the element was discovered, the University of California Radiation Laboratory (present-day Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory) in 1950.
This element is not found in nature and is formed by colliding curium with alpha particles (helium-4 ions). Californium 252 is classified at the bottom of the periodic table of elements with the symbol Cf, atomic number 98.
One of 15 metallic chemical elements known as actinides, californium is the sixth transuranium element to be synthesized. Compared with other elements produced, californium has the second-highest atomic mass, big enough to be seen with the naked eye. Soft enough to be cut with a razor blade, californium is pure metal. This element has a silvery-white hue and is moderately chemically reactive. When exposed to air at room temperature, californium does degrade slowly as bits of its metal begin to oxidize.
What Is Californium 252 Used For?
Californium 252 is unique in that it’s one of the few transuranium elements with practical applications, so what does californium do? From powering nuclear reactors to aiding in the formation of new elements and cancer treatments, there are many californium 252 uses. Below are the top four californium 252 uses.
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Nuclear Reactors
Nuclear power plants are run through the process of fission, in which free neutrons outside of the nucleus split atoms, producing significant amounts of energy that are added to nuclear fuel in order to power a reactor. Due to californium 252’s ability to produce vast amounts of neutrons, this element is used at the core of a reactor to jumpstart the fission chain reactions and start the reactor safely and smoothly.
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Creation of New Elements
Scientists hypothesized that when firing calcium ions at californium 252, a new element may be formed. Yuri Oganessian, a Russian scientist known for his huge advancements in manmade element research, discovered that this hypothesis was correct. Named after Oganessian, the new manmade element is called oganesson (Og), with the atomic number of 118 on the periodic table.
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Medical Applications
As far as californium uses in everyday life, californium is also being used in medical applications, such as for the treatment of cervical cancer after radiation treatment proves ineffective. When an implant of californium is inserted near a tumor, neutrons found in the element strike the tumors directly while saving the surrounding tissues and preventing them from being damaged by the treatment.
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Oil Industry
When californium is used in conjunction with well logging in the oil industry — a process used to determine the properties of geological formations and composition surrounding the bore — the element’s emission of neutrons allows a drilling operator to better understand the surrounding area. The resulting data is then used to determine the permeability and porosity of the drilling site, and also to identify hydrocarbons and shale beds. Using this technique, a detailed record of the entire length of a borehole can be recorded with well logging.
The Future of Californium 252
Although the scientific community has made big strides in understanding californium 252, many experiments are still being conducted to better understand this complex element.
Its applications are plentiful, setting it apart from many other synthetic, radioactive elements, and there are sure to be even more uses for this valuable element going forward.