Promethiumipohjaiset

Promethiumipohjaiset, a Finnish term, translates to "promethium-based." This designation would generally refer to materials, compounds, or devices that incorporate the element promethium. Promethium (Pm) is a rare-earth element with atomic number 61. It is highly radioactive, with its most stable isotope, promethium-145, having a half-life of 17.7 years. Due to its radioactivity and scarcity, naturally occurring promethium is extremely rare, and most of it is produced artificially.

The primary applications of promethium, and therefore of "promethiumipohjaiset" materials, stem from its radioactive properties. Promethium-147 is a beta emitter and is used in certain specialized applications such as luminous paints and self-powered lighting devices. Its beta radiation can excite phosphors to produce light, making it useful where external power is unavailable or impractical. "Promethiumipohjaiset" could also refer to radioactive sources used in thickness gauges for materials like paper or plastic, where the beta particles are attenuated by the material, allowing for measurement of its thickness.

Another potential area for promethium-based technology is in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). These devices convert the heat generated by radioactive decay into electricity. While other isotopes are more commonly used, promethium could theoretically be employed in such systems, although its relatively short half-life compared to other RTG fuels might limit its long-term effectiveness. Research into novel applications of rare-earth elements, including promethium, continues, but widespread industrial use of "promethiumipohjaiset" materials is limited by its radioactivity, cost, and availability.