curium [Cm]

Introduction

Named for scientist Marie Curie & Pierre Curie. Discovered in 1944 by Glenn T Seaborg, Ralph A James, & Albert Ghiorso using a cyclotron.

Occurrence

• does NOT occur naturally
• can be made in nuclear reactors from plutonium

Characteristics

• silvery-white solid metal
• most curium compounds are faintly yellow
• very radioactive: curium-242 has a long 1/2life
• can accumulate in bones: disrupts hematopoiesis

Uses

• curium-242 is used as a power source for
  • pacemakers
  • remote nagivational buoys
  • space missions

More general terms

• actinide
• radioactive element

Additional terms

• periodic table