In chemistry, the isotopes of an element are the atoms that have in their nucleus the number of protons or the atomic number corresponding to the chemical behaviour of that element. However the isotopes may differ from element to element. An isotope that is radioactive is called a radioisotope or radionuclide. A radioactive isotope is required during the use of medicine and this invention was indeed a boon to the medical field. Irene Joliot Curie found out the synthesis of new radioactive isotopes and was awarded for this discovery. Let us find out more about this famous chemist.

Biography

Irene Joliot Curie was born on September 12, 1897 in Paris, France. She is the daughter of famous chemist Marie Curie. Irene Joliot Curie was asked to teach the precise laboratory techniques that were required for radiochemical research to the young chemical engineer Frederic Joliot whom she married later. From 1928, Joliot Curie and her husband Frederic combined their research interests on the study of atomic nuclei.

Irene Joliot Curie died on March 17, 1956 in Paris, France after suffering from leukemia and due to an accidental exposure to radioactive polonium..

Discovery of synthesis of new radioactive isotopes

Irene Joliot Curie and her husband Frederic continued their research on the study of atomic nuclei and during the research they bombarded stable atoms with alpha particles in order to transmute them into different radioactive elements. During this process, they managed to create nitrogen from boron, phosphorus from aluminum and silicon from magnesium thereby creating a break-through in their research. With this discovery, the application of radioactive materials for use in medicine was growing and led to an ability to create radioactive materials quickly and cheaply.

Both Irene Joliot Curie and her husband Frederic were awarded the Nobel Prize for this new discovery of synthesis of radioactive isotopes in the year 1935.