Tennessine (Ts)
Tennessine: The Superheavy Metal from Tennessee
Tennessine is a synthetic, highly radioactive element that exists only for a fraction of a second. With an atomic number of 117, it is one of the heaviest elements on the periodic table. Its name honors the state of Tennessee, home to major research labs that helped make its discovery possible.
A Man-Made Element
Tennessine doesn’t occur in nature—it can only be created in a lab.
Scientists made it by bombarding the element berkelium-249 with calcium-48 ions in a particle accelerator.
The nuclei fused together to form atoms of this new, superheavy element.
Its longest-lived isotope lasts just 80 milliseconds before decaying!
Biological Role & Uses
Because it’s so rare and short-lived, tennessine has no practical uses outside of research. It has no biological role and is considered toxic due to its intense radioactivity.
Its value lies in helping scientists study superheavy elements and test the limits of the periodic table.
History of Discovery
2010 – First Synthesis: A team of scientists from Russia (Dubna) and the United States (Oak Ridge & Lawrence Livermore labs) successfully created tennessine. Producing the berkelium target at Oak Ridge was a huge challenge and a key part of the achievement.
2015 – Confirmation: The discovery was officially confirmed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).
2016 – Naming: The element was named tennessine (Ts) to honor the contributions of Tennessee-based research institutions.