129 years since the discovery of radioactivity: from Becquerel to Marie Curie and its impact on modern science

On 1st March 1896, physicist Henri Becquerel made a discovery that would forever change the history of science: radioactivity. This accidental yet revolutionary finding opened the doors to a new era in physics and chemistry. Shortly after, Marie and Pierre Curie delved deeper into this phenomenon, discovering new radioactive elements and laying the groundwork for applications that are now fundamental in medicine, scientific research, and industry.

On this anniversary of the discovery of radioactivity, we explore its evolution and impact on current research, highlighting how at CymitQuimica, we continue to provide essential isotopic materials for modern science.

Henri Becquerel and the discovery of radioactivity:

At the end of the 19th century, Becquerel was investigating the fluorescence of uranium salts when, by accident, he discovered that they emitted radiation capable of impressing photographic plates without exposure to sunlight. This unexpected finding revealed the existence of a new form of energy, which would later be known as natural radioactivity.

His work became the seed for one of the most important scientific revolutions in history, leading to the identification and study of new radioactive elements.

Marie Curie and the legacy of radioactivity:

Inspired by Becquerel's discovery, Marie and Pierre Curie immersed themselves in the study of radioactive materials. In 1898, they succeeded in isolating two new elements: polonium and radium, and it was Marie Curie who coined the term "radioactivity." Her tireless dedication to research earned her two Nobel Prizes (Physics in 1903 and Chemistry in 1911), making her the first person to receive this prestigious award in two different disciplines.

The Curie’s work helped to better understand the structure of the atom and opened the door to numerous applications in fields such as medicine (radiotherapy and imaging diagnostics), industry, and nuclear energy generation.

Isotopes in modern research:

Today, the legacy of Becquerel and Curie remains vital in science, especially in the use of radioactive and stable isotopes in biomedical, chemical, and pharmaceutical research. At CymitQuimica, we offer a wide variety of isotopes for research, used in techniques such as PET, isotopic labelling in metabolic studies, and drug development.

Some of the isotopic products available on our website include:

• Deuterated compounds: essential for pharmacokinetic assays.
• Chloroform-d, a deuterated solvent widely used in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to provide clean, interference-free signals.
• DMSO-d6, a key solvent in NMR due to its high solubility and low hydrogen content, reducing interference in spectra.

The discovery of radioactivity has been a cornerstone in the advancement of science, and at CymitQuimica, we continue to strive to offer the most advanced products to support this evolution.

What other isotopic products do you use that you can find at CymitQuimica? Contact us and let us know at support@cymitquimica.com.