104Rf Rutherfordium
Year Discovered
1964 / 1969
Discovered By
A group of scientists in the Soviet Union claimed discovery in 1964. A group of American scientists claimed discovery in 1969. IUPAC has declared that both groups should share credit for discovery.
Biological Rating
Not necessary for life.
Description
Named after chemist Daniel Rutherford, rutherfordium is a highly radioactive metal. It has never been found naturally and only a few thousand atoms have been produced in laboratories. Its chemistry and appearance are not known with any certainty, although the chemistry is believed to be similar to hafnium. Rutherfordium is too rare to have any commercial or industrial application. The most stable isotope of rutherfordium has a half-life of 65 seconds.
Biological Benefits
Rutherfordium has no biological use.
Role in Life Processes
No known benefits for life processes in plants and animals.
Sources
Rutherfordium is obtained by particle bombardment of californium or curium.
