Radioisotopes to the Rescue
By: Tahmid Zaman
The modern era is the age of technological innovation. Everyday new inventions are created through science and helped better the lives of billions of people. One such innovation of the 20th century was the usage of radioactive isotopes to aid in various fields of science. A radioisotope occurs when a nucleus strives to achieve a balance between the protons and neutrons. All atoms seek a balance and when there is an excess of protons than neutrons in a nucleus that makes it unstable. To achieve this balance the nucleus tends to give up neutrons and in that process energy is released in the form of radiation. However, this great technological innovation brought along some risks, but the usefulness of such a technology far outweighs the few risks associated with it. While there are some risks involved, radiation from isotopes can be used in various ways in the fields of research, industry and medicine much to the benefit of society.
Radioactive isotopes have been a key instrument in the research, industry and medical fields of the new digital age. Radioactive isotopes are often used in research. Radioisotopes are the energy source of the future. A new method of energy is being used to power the future of space exploration through the use of Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators where the long-lasting half-life of the Plutonium-238 isotope is used to power modern day space vehicles. This method is a ground-breaking technology for the future as further advancements will allow mankind to delve deeper into space and allow humans to reach the stars. Radioisotopes are also used in the industry in a variety of ways. Radioisotopes are used to ensure high quality materials such as detecting the quality of metal structures. Radioisotopes are used to in a method called industrial radiography where a sealed source of Iridium-192 or Cobalt-60 and a beam radiates on to the section to be checked and through scan is performed. This technology is highly useful as it saves a lot of funds and time from industries, thus helping the economy as whole by improving the efficiency of work. Radioactive isotopes are most well known to be used in the medical fields as millions of people are treated every year through radiation. Statistically, every year one in every three patients in the U.S.A. hospitals are treated through radioisotopes. Cancer is often treated through radiation therapy where a cancerous growth is usually struck with a beam of Cobalt-60 and the cancer dies. This proves the possible treatment of the incurable disease that has plagued mankind for millennia and such a treatment has revolutionized the medical field. Radioisotopes have been revolutionary in the past century or so in the advancement of mankind into the digital age; it has helped us better our lives almost exponentially.
