Nuklearmedizin 2015; 54(06): N50-N54
DOI: 10.3413/nuk2015050001
History
Schattauer GmbH

Discovery of rhenium and masurium (technetium) by Ida Noddack-Tacke and Walter Noddack

Forgotten heroes of nuclear medicineEntdeckung von Rhenium und Masurium (Technetium) durch Ida Noddack-Tacke and Walter NoddackVergessene Helden der Nuklearmedizin
H.-J. Biersack
1   Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Bonn, Germany
,
F. Stelzner
2   Department of Surgery, University of Bonn, Germany
,
F. F. Knapp
3   Medical Isotopes Program, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received: 16 July 2015

accepted: 15 August 2015

Publication Date:
31 January 2018 (online)

Summary

The history of the early identification of elements and their designation to the Mendeleev Table of the Elements was an important chapter in German science in which Ida (1896-1978) and Walter (1893-1960) Noddack played an important role in the first identification of rhenium (element 75, 1925) and technetium (element 43, 1933). In 1934 Ida Noddack was also the first to predict fission of uranium into smaller atoms. Although the Noddacks did not for some time later receive the recognition for the first identification of technetium-99m, their efforts have appropriately more recently been recognized. The discoveries of these early pioneers are even more astounding in light of the limited technologies and resources which were available during this period. The Noddack discoveries of elements 43 and 75 are related to the sub sequent use of rhenium-188 (beta/ gamma emitter) and technetium-99m (gamma emitter) in nuclear medicine. In particular, the theranostic relationship between these two generator-derived radioisotopes has been demonstrated and offers new opportunities in the current era of personalized medicine.

Zusammenfassung

Die frühe Identifizierung von Elementen und ihre Zuordung zum Periodensystem (Mendeleev) wurde durch deutsche Wissenschaftler geprägt. Ida Noddack-Tacke (1896-1978) und Walter Noddack (1893-1960) haben hierbei eine wichtige Rolle gespielt, denn sie haben als Erste das Element 75, nämlich Rhenium, im Jahr 1925 beschrieben und als Element hergestellt. Auch Technetium (Element 43) wurde durch das Ehepaar 1933 identifiziert. Ihre Leistungen sind besonders hervorzu - heben, denn ihnen standen nur eingeschränkte Ressourcen und technische Möglichkeiten zur Verfügung. Die Forschungs - ergebnisse der Noddacks sind der Nuklearmedizin praktisch unbekannt geblieben, obwohl sie die Grundlage für die Entwicklung des Rhenium- und Technetiumgenerators darstellen. Beide Radioisotope waren damals natürlich noch nicht bekannt, sie stellen heute aber eine Grundlage für das Gebiet der “Thera(g)nostics” dar. Dieser Artikel soll aus historischer Sicht zwei Forscher ehren, deren Bedeutung für das Fachgebiet der Nuklearmedizin bislang unbekannt war.

 
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