Podcast Summary
Discovering a new superheavy element: Nuclear chemist Clarice Phelps shares her journey from working on a nuclear aircraft carrier to contributing to the discovery of a new superheavy element, highlighting the ongoing exploration and discovery in chemistry and its applications in various industries.
The periodic table, a fundamental tool in chemistry, is not just a static chart but a dynamic representation of the elements that make up our world. These elements, including the heavy, radioactive ones, provide valuable insights into the universe's origins and have numerous applications in various industries. Clarice Phelps, a nuclear chemist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, shares her experience of being part of a team that discovered a new superheavy element, number 117. Her journey from working on a nuclear aircraft carrier to contributing to this groundbreaking discovery underscores the ongoing exploration and discovery in the field of chemistry. This process, which can take years and span the globe, pushes the boundaries of scientific knowledge and opens up new possibilities for future applications.
An Unconventional Career Path: Despite not following a traditional career path, Clarice Phelps found success through perseverance and adaptability in the military and scientific fields.
Sometimes our career paths don't follow the traditional route we envision as children. Clarice Phelps, a scientist, shared her unconventional journey. She dreamed of being an astronaut or an inventor, but after college, she couldn't find a job due to lack of application and a subpar GPA. Instead, she joined the military and excelled in the challenging Naval Nuclear Power Program. After serving on an aircraft carrier, she landed a job at Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a technician. This experience taught her the importance of perseverance and adaptability. Meanwhile, if you're looking for a way to invest in your health, consider unlocking your best self with clinician-curated supplements from Integrative Therapeutics, now available on Amazon. With Apple Card, you can earn daily cash rewards on every purchase, including 3% on products at Apple, 2% on all other Apple Card with Apple Pay purchases, and 1% on anything you buy with your titanium Apple Card or virtual card number. Visit apple.c0/cardcalculator to see how much you can earn. Keep in mind that Apple Card is issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, subject to credit approval, and terms apply.
Discovering New Elements: A Journey into the Universe's Origins: Through nuclear fusion, scientists create new elements by combining existing ones, and the search for these new elements provides insights into the universe's origins.
The search for element 117 began as part of an effort to understand the origins of the universe and the elements that may have existed during its early days. Scientists believe that more elements were present in the universe at its inception than what exists now, and by studying their interactions, they can gain insights into the universe's beginnings. To create new elements, scientists use a process called nuclear fusion, where they slam two elements together with enough force. For instance, by combining calcium (atomic number 20) and berkelium (atomic number 97), they can create element 117. However, preparing and isolating the necessary elements is a complex and painstaking process. In this case, Clarisse's role was to extract pure berkelium from a mix of irradiated material, which required remote handling due to its extreme heat and radioactivity. The process of separating the desired isotope from the others can take months. Overall, the quest for new elements drives our understanding of the universe's origins and the fundamental building blocks of matter.
Scientists Discover New Element Tennesseine: Scientists, led by Clarisse dos Santos, discovered a new element, Tennesseine (element 117), by bombarding berkelium with calcium beams. Its short lifespan limits practical applications, but research will focus on theoretical modeling and simulation.
A team of scientists, including Clarisse dos Santos, successfully created six atoms of a new element, named Tennesseine (element 117), by bombarding berkelium with calcium beams in a Russian lab. This discovery, which took nearly a year, marked a significant achievement in nuclear physics research. However, due to the short lifespan of Tennesseine, its practical applications are currently limited. Most research will focus on theoretical modeling and simulation to understand its potential properties. Tennesseine's discovery marked a historic moment as Clarisse dos Santos became the first Black woman to contribute to the discovery of a new element.
Discovering unexpected achievements: Dedication to your work can lead to unexpected achievements and opportunities, inspiring future generations.
Unexpected opportunities and achievements can arise from simply doing your job to the best of your ability. The speaker, Dr. Beth Shapiro, shares her experience of discovering a new element, Tennesine, and becoming the first black woman to have a hand in its addition to the periodic table. She was unaware of the impact her work would have and was humbled by the recognition. Now, she uses her platform to inspire young girls to reach for the stars and explore the wonders of the universe. The moment she discovered her impact was surreal, and she continues to be amazed by the legacy she has left in science history. Despite not initially setting out to make history, Dr. Shapiro's dedication to her work led to an incredible accomplishment that she can be proud of and share with future generations.
The Joy of Learning and the Impact of Knowledge: The conversation between Clarice and the speaker on Shortwave from NPR showcased the joy of learning and the profound impact of knowledge, no matter how small our role may seem.
No matter how small our role may seem, we can still feel the immense significance of being a part of something larger than ourselves. This was evident in the conversation between Clarice and the speaker about the heaviest elements and the origins of the universe. The speaker expressed great joy in discussing these topics and appreciated Clarice's time and insights. This episode of Shortwave from NPR was a testament to the power of knowledge and the joy of learning. The team behind the production included Burleigh McCoy as producer, Gabriel Spitzer as editor, Rachel Carlson as fact checker, Josh Newell as audio engineer, Gisele Grayson as senior supervising editor, Beth Donovan as senior director, and Anya Grundmann as senior vice president of programming. A personal connection to the topic was made when the speaker shared that she could spell her name using elements from the periodic table. This light-hearted moment underscored the importance of finding meaning and connection in the things we learn and explore. In essence, this conversation highlighted the profound impact of knowledge and the joy of discovery, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant our role may be.
