This Silvery-White Metal is 400 Times Pricier Than Gold! Find Out Why – Glass Almanac
Californium does not occur naturally on Earth. The process to create it is as lengthy as it is expensive, making this synthetic element far more costly than gold. Additionally, this metal is highly valuable in one of its forms due to its industrial and scientific applications.Not widely known outside of scientific circles, californium holds the atomic number 98 on the periodic table. It is a synthetic, silver-white, malleable metal that can be significantly deformed without breaking. First synthesized in 1950, it costs about $27 million per gram, as reported by Medium in a 2023 article, making it 400 times more expensive than gold. The price reflects the complexity of its production, which can only be conducted within a nuclear reactor.Californium-252 (Cf-252) is a radioisotope, meaning it is an unstable form that emits radiation to transform into stable isotopes. Inside the reactor, californium is bombarded with neutrons from plutonium-239 followed by a purification process, which is both lengthy and very costly. Moreover, this procedure requires specialized equipment and cutting-edge expertise. It should be noted that the production emits highly dangerous particles: neutron and alpha particles. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning the low demand for Cf-252, as well as its very short half-life (about two years).Beyond its estimated economic value, californium-252 is particularly valuable for its industrial and scientific uses. The metal plays a role in enhancing the stability and safety of nuclear reactors by helping control the rate of nuclear fission. It is also used to precisely measure deep-sea oil deposits.Additionally, it finds applications in the medical field. Californium-252 enables neutron therapy, which effectively destroys cancer cells without harming the surrounding tissues, making it an impressive tool in the fight against cancer.Moreover, californium-252 made headlines in 2023 during the war in Ukraine. Russia accused Ukraine of preparing “dirty bombs” after the latter received shipments of radioactive materials, including californium-252, from one of the European Union states.Beyond its scientific and industrial applications, californium-252 carries significant geopolitical importance due to its rarity and radioactive properties. Because of its potential in creating intense neutron sources, it is closely monitored by international nuclear regulatory agencies. Countries that possess the infrastructure necessary for its production, such as the United States and Russia, strictly limit its export to prevent its use for military or terrorist purposes. This restriction makes californium-252 a strategic element, and its trade is subject to extensive controls. Its use in sensitive sectors, such as oil exploration and nuclear medicine, requires special permissions. Thus, while it may be inconspicuous, this metal plays a critical role in key technological and security challenges.
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