The evaluation of samples to check for radionuclides, atoms that emit radiation due to their instability, is known as radioanalytical chemistry. Chemists can examine sample material with a variety of tools to learn more about what it contains and classify it appropriately. Radionuclide research is used in a variety of fields, including environmental science and anthropology; radionuclides can be used to date samples, improve medical imaging studies, and connect evidence in a legal case, among other things.
Marie Curie, a researcher who performed groundbreaking work with nuclear materials, was a forerunner in this field. Researchers learned a lot more about how these materials worked in the twentieth century, allowing them to handle them safely and accurately detect them in samples. Chemists can identify radionuclides in a sample, determine which are present, and measure their concentration using tools like spectroscopy, scintillation counters, and solid state detectors. This information can be used in both pure and applied science.
Radioanalytical chemists begin with an unknown sample that may require treatment to separate and purify its contents. This requires caution, as the chemist does not want to accidentally alter the sample’s chemical composition. Once the sample is ready, it can be tested in a lab to determine which radionuclides are present. Chemists may work on projects such as research to learn more about radionuclides and how they work, testing for industry, or quality control for companies that work with these materials.
Radioanalytical chemistry can aid activities such as identifying and controlling pollution, studying physics phenomena, and dating geological deposits in the sciences. It also has applications in forensic science, anthropology, and archaeology, where radioanalytical chemistry is used in dating techniques. Radionuclides are used in some medical treatments and diagnostic tools, so this field benefits medicine as well. To analyze samples and produce material, all of these fields require controlled lab environments to ensure high quality and consistency.
Some radionuclides can be hazardous to work with, which is a concern in radioanalytical chemistry. To protect themselves and their facilities from radiation, technicians must follow specific procedures. Protocols may specify how and where components should be handled, what to do if contamination occurs, and what types of materials a given facility can safely handle. To reduce the risk of injuries, safety officers may be in charge of training new employees and ensuring that policies are followed at all times.