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Related Concept Videos

Isotopes and Radioisotopes01:28

Isotopes and Radioisotopes

In the early 1900s, English chemist Frederick Soddy realized that an element could have atoms with different masses that were chemically indistinguishable. These different types are called isotopes — atoms of the same element that differ in mass. Isotopes differ in mass because they have different numbers of neutrons but are chemically identical because they have the same number of protons. Soddy was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1921 for this discovery.
An isotope containing more...
Nuclear Power02:36

Nuclear Power

Controlled nuclear fission reactions are used to generate electricity. Any nuclear reactor that produces power via the fission of uranium or plutonium by bombardment with neutrons has six components: nuclear fuel consisting of fissionable material, a nuclear moderator, a neutron source, control rods, reactor coolant, and a shield and containment system.
Nuclear Fuels
Nuclear fuel consists of a fissile isotope, such as uranium-235, which must be present in sufficient quantity to provide a...
Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations03:18

Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations

Nuclear chemistry is the study of reactions that involve changes in nuclear structure. The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and, except for hydrogen, neutrons. The number of protons in the nucleus is called the atomic number (Z) of the element, and the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are isotopes of the same element.
A nuclide of an element has a specific number of protons and...
Nuclear Transmutation03:20

Nuclear Transmutation

Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one nuclide into another. It can occur by the radioactive decay of a nucleus, or the reaction of a nucleus with another particle. The first manmade nucleus was produced in Ernest Rutherford’s laboratory in 1919 by a transmutation reaction, the bombardment of one type of nuclei with other nuclei or with neutrons. Rutherford bombarded nitrogen-14 atoms with high-speed α particles from a natural radioactive isotope of radium and observed protons being...
Nuclear Stability03:18

Nuclear Stability

Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10−15 meters, a nucleus is quite small compared to the radius of the entire atom, which is about 10−10 meters. Nuclei are extremely dense compared to bulk matter, averaging 1.8 × 1014 grams per cubic centimeter. If the earth’s density were equal to the average nuclear density, the earth’s radius would be only about 200 meters.
To hold positively charged protons together in the...
Nuclear Fusion02:45

Nuclear Fusion

The process of converting very light nuclei into heavier nuclei is also accompanied by the conversion of mass into large amounts of energy, a process called fusion. The principal source of energy in the sun is a net fusion reaction in which four hydrogen nuclei fuse and ultimately produce one helium nucleus and two positrons.
A helium nucleus has a mass that is 0.7% less than that of four hydrogen nuclei; this lost mass is converted into energy during the fusion. This reaction produces about...

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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Optimization of Radiochemical Reactions using Droplet Arrays
10:54

Optimization of Radiochemical Reactions using Droplet Arrays

Published on: February 12, 2021

Reactors are indispensable for radioisotope production.

Ahmad Mushtaq

    Annals of Nuclear Medicine
    |October 27, 2010
    PubMed
    Summary

    Reactors and accelerators are key for radioisotope production. While accelerators offer alternatives, both methods will remain vital for supplying isotopes for medicine, industry, and research.

    Area of Science:

    • Nuclear Chemistry
    • Radiochemistry
    • Isotope Production

    Background:

    • Radioisotopes are crucial for various applications, including medicine, industry, and scientific research.
    • Traditional radioisotope production relies heavily on nuclear reactors, often utilizing enriched uranium-235.

    Discussion:

    • Emerging reports suggest that accelerators can efficiently produce useful isotopes, potentially reducing reliance on reactors.
    • This shift could offer alternative pathways for isotope supply, mitigating dependence on specific production methods.

    Key Insights:

    • Both nuclear reactors and particle accelerators offer distinct advantages for radioisotope production.
    • Certain isotopes may be more efficiently produced using one method over the other.

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    Automated 90Sr Separation and Preconcentration in a Lab-on-Valve System at Ppq Level

    Published on: June 6, 2018

    Technical Aspect of the Automated Synthesis and Real-Time Kinetic Evaluation of [11C]SNAP-7941
    09:50

    Technical Aspect of the Automated Synthesis and Real-Time Kinetic Evaluation of [11C]SNAP-7941

    Published on: April 28, 2019

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    Last Updated: Jun 7, 2026

    Optimization of Radiochemical Reactions using Droplet Arrays
    10:54

    Optimization of Radiochemical Reactions using Droplet Arrays

    Published on: February 12, 2021

    Automated 90Sr Separation and Preconcentration in a Lab-on-Valve System at Ppq Level
    08:53

    Automated 90Sr Separation and Preconcentration in a Lab-on-Valve System at Ppq Level

    Published on: June 6, 2018

    Technical Aspect of the Automated Synthesis and Real-Time Kinetic Evaluation of [11C]SNAP-7941
    09:50

    Technical Aspect of the Automated Synthesis and Real-Time Kinetic Evaluation of [11C]SNAP-7941

    Published on: April 28, 2019

    Outlook:

    • Accelerators present a viable complementary or alternative method for radioisotope generation.
    • Nuclear reactors and accelerators are expected to coexist, ensuring a stable and economical supply of essential isotopes.