Scientists have uncovered the properties of a #rareearth element that was first discovered 80 years ago at the very same laboratory, opening a new pathway for the exploration of elements critical in modern #technology, from #medicine to #spacetravel.

#Promethium was discovered in 1945 at Clinton Laboratories, now Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and continues to be produced at ORNL in minute quantities. Some of its properties have remained elusive despite the rare earth element’s use in medical studies and long-lived nuclear batteries. It is named after the mythological Titan who delivered fire to humans and whose name symbolizes human striving.

The ORNL-led team of scientists prepared a chemical complex of promethium, which enabled its characterization in solution for the first time.
Thus, they exposed the secrets of this extremely rare lanthanide, whose atomic number is 61, in a series of meticulous experiments.

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This work was primarily co-sponsored by DOE’s Office of Science for ligand synthesis, lanthanide complexation studies, crystallization processes, spectroscopic analyses and simulation efforts. The production, purification and preparation of the promethium sample were supported by the DOE Isotope Program, managed by the Office of Science for Isotope R&D and Production. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction data collection and refinement were supported by the DOE Office of Science.

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