Early Life and Education
Clarice Phelps (née Salone) was born and raised in Tennessee. Her interest in chemistry began early, sparked by a childhood chemistry set and a fascination with how substances transform.
She pursued her passion academically at Tennessee State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Her commitment to service and science then led her to the United States Navy. During her four years of service, she operated in the Nuclear Power Program, maintaining the reactor chemistry on the USS Ronald Reagan. This high-stakes environment solidified her expertise in handling radioactive materials and complex chemical systems.
After her naval service, she joined the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where she would eventually make history.
The Discovery of Tennessine (Element 117)
Phelps’ most significant accomplishment came through her work in the Nuclear Science and Engineering Directorate at ORNL. She was a vital part of the international collaboration that discovered Tennessine, the 117th element on the periodic table.
Her Role and How it Happened:
The creation of a superheavy element is a feat of extreme precision. Element 117 was synthesized by bombarding a target of Berkelium-249 with calcium-48 ions. Phelps was responsible for the crucial "target preparation."
She performed the delicate chemical purification of the Berkelium-249 samples. This involved separating the material from various impurities that would have compromised the experiment. Because the material was highly radioactive and available in only minuscule amounts, the margin for error was zero. Her successful purification allowed the material to be shipped to the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Russia, where the actual bombardment and discovery took place.
Legacy and Impact
For several years, Phelps’ name was omitted from the official discovery citations due to administrative oversight. However, through advocacy and the correction of the record, she is now recognized globally as the first Black woman to help discover a new element.
Her legacy is twofold:
Scientific Excellence: She proved that the chemical engineering required to create "island of stability" elements is as vital as the physics used to detect them.
Representation: Phelps is a vocal advocate for diversity in STEM. She works tirelessly to mentor young scientists of color, ensuring that the "hidden figures" of modern science are hidden no longer.
In 2019, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) named her one of the
Sources and Further Reading
Element 117 on the Periodic Table
Below is a periodic table featuring Tennessine (Ts), the element Clarice Phelps helped bring to life.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Clarice Phelps is the first Black woman credited with discovering a periodic element, Tennessine (Element 117). She works at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and now mentors the next generation. Black women belong in STEM. When we see ourselves in science, we know we belong there… pic.twitter.com/X4IyCjVSA4
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) February 22, 2026
Foundational Black American History Month:
— IamLegend 🇺🇸 (@DarkSideAdvcate) February 23, 2026
Clarice Phelps is an American nuclear chemist researching the processing of radioactive transuranic elements at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She was part of the team that discovered Periodic Table Element 117, Tennessine. pic.twitter.com/MRFS36kXih
No comments:
Post a Comment