Discovered in: 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.

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 Rating: No known benefits for life processes in plants and animals. Biological Benefits: Rutherfordium has no biological use.

Percentage Amount in the Human Body: 0 %

Obtained from: Rutherfordium is obtained by particle bombardment of californium or curium.