Magnesium-26 (Mg-26) is one of the stable isotopes of magnesium, comprising approximately 11% of naturally occurring magnesium. With 12 protons and 14 neutrons, Mg-26 is non-radioactive and has unique applications across geochemistry, cosmochemistry, environmental studies, and tracer-based biological research.

Due to its stable nuclear configuration and naturally occurring abundance, Mg-26 is widely used as a tracer in scientific investigations involving magnesium cycling, metabolic pathways, and isotope fractionation.

Physical and Nuclear Properties

• Symbol: Mg-26
• Atomic Number (Z): 12
• Mass Number (A): 26
• Isotopic Mass: 25.982593 u
• Natural Abundance: ~11.01%
• Stability: Stable (non-radioactive)

Key Applications

1. Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry

Mg-26 plays a key role in studying the formation of terrestrial and extraterrestrial materials. In meteorites, Mg-26 anomalies are used to trace the decay of radioactive Al-26, shedding light on early solar system processes. Geochemists also use Mg isotope ratios to investigate weathering, mineral formation, and sedimentation processes on Earth.

2. Metabolic and Nutritional Research

Stable Mg-26 tracers are administered in clinical and nutritional studies to analyze magnesium absorption, distribution, and excretion in the human body. These applications are important in assessing magnesium deficiency and bioavailability in various diets and supplements.

3. Environmental Tracing

Mg-26 is used in hydrology and soil science to study nutrient cycling, soil formation, and the movement of magnesium in natural ecosystems. Its use as a stable, safe tracer makes it ideal for long-term environmental monitoring.

4. Isotope Enrichment and Calibration

Mg-26 is frequently used as a calibration standard in mass spectrometry, particularly in multi-collector ICP-MS, due to its isotopic stability and availability in high-purity enriched forms.

Where to Buy Magnesium-26

High-purity Mg-26 isotopes are available for purchase from specialized isotope suppliers. At Nakima Ltd, we offer enriched Magnesium-26 in metallic, oxide, or compound form tailored to research and industrial requirements.

When purchasing Mg-26, key considerations include:

• Isotopic Enrichment Level – Choose based on precision and experimental design.
• Physical Form – Options include powder, metal, or salts, depending on the intended application.
• Purity and Certification – Ensure batch traceability and quality assurance.
• Shipping Compliance – Packaged and delivered in accordance with international safety standards.

Future Outlook

With growing interest in planetary science, biogeochemistry, and precision nutrition, the relevance of Mg-26 continues to rise. As instrumentation and analytical techniques evolve, magnesium isotopes like Mg-26 are expected to contribute further to research in sustainable agriculture, climate science, and life sciences.

Interested in Mg-26 for your lab or project? Visit Nakima Ltd or contact us directly to request a quote or consultation on Magnesium-26 isotopes.

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Ytterbium-176 (Yb-176) is a stable isotope of the rare-earth element ytterbium, characterized by its unique nuclear properties and significant applications in various scientific and medical fields. With an atomic number of 70 and a mass number of 176, Yb-176 constitutes approximately 12.7% of natural ytterbium.

Physical and Nuclear Properties

• Atomic Number (Z): 70
  
• Mass Number (A): 176
  
• Isotopic Mass: 175.9425717 u
  
• Natural Abundance: 12.7%
  
• Nuclear Spin: 0+
  
• Stability: Stable (non-radioactive)
  

Yb-176 exhibits a closed-shell electron configuration, contributing to its chemical stability and making it suitable for various applications requiring non-reactive isotopes.

Applications

1. Medical Applications

Yb-176 serves as a precursor for the production of Lutetium-177 (Lu-177), a beta-emitting radioisotope used in targeted radionuclide therapy for treating cancers such as prostate and neuroendocrine tumors. The production involves neutron irradiation of enriched Yb-176, resulting in high-purity Lu-177 suitable for medical use.

2. Quantum Computing and Atomic Clocks

In quantum information science, Yb-176 is utilized in the development of atomic clocks and quantum computing systems. Its nuclear properties allow for precise frequency standards and manipulation of quantum states, essential for advancing quantum technologies.

3. Nuclear Physics Research

Yb-176 is employed in nuclear physics experiments to study nuclear reactions and structure. Its stable nature and specific nuclear characteristics make it a valuable target material in research facilities exploring fundamental nuclear processes.

Where to Buy Ytterbium Isotopes

Purchasing high-purity ytterbium isotopes is crucial for research and industrial applications. Companies like AMT Ventures supply isotopically enriched Yb-176 for various scientific needs. When acquiring ytterbium isotopes, key considerations include:

• Purity – Ensuring high isotopic purity for accurate scientific results.
  
• Form – Available in metallic, oxide, or other forms, depending on specific applications.
  
• Shipping Regulations – Compliance with specialized handling and transport requirements.
  

Production and Supply

The enrichment of Yb-176 is achieved through methods such as electromagnetic isotope separation. Facilities like the U.S. Department of Energy’s Isotope Program and companies like ASP Isotopes Inc. have developed capabilities to produce and supply enriched Yb-176, addressing the growing demand in medical and research sectors.

Future Outlook

As demand for precision measurement, quantum computing, and nuclear medicine grows, Yb-176 will continue to see expanding applications. Advances in atomic physics, quantum sensing, and radiopharmaceuticals will further drive innovations, solidifying ytterbium isotopes’ role in future technological breakthroughs.

For more information or to inquire about Yb-176 products, please visit Nakima Ltd.

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Nickel-64 (Ni-64 , neutron number 36) serves as a fundamental raw material in isotope technology and has become an indispensable precursor for producing the medical radionuclide copper-64 (⁶⁴Cu), thanks to its exceptional nuclide conversion properties. Through neutron capture reactions, high-purity nickel-64 can be efficiently transformed into copper-64, a next-generation PET imaging isotope with a 12.7-hour half-life, offering groundbreaking advances in the precise diagnosis of tumors and neurological disorders.

Key to production:

Copper-64 is extensively utilized for localizing neuroendocrine tumors, analyzing the tumor microenvironment, and enabling early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, owing to its excellent physical characteristics and ability for targeted labeling. The purification quality of nickel-64 directly impacts both the yield and the purity of copper-64.

Due to the intricate nature of the isotope separation process—characterized by material instability and the need for precise neutron flux control—only a handful of companies worldwide are currently capable of delivering a large-scale, reliable supply.

Where to Buy Nickel (Ni-64) Isotope

AMT is proud to be among these select suppliers, offering high-purity Nickel-64 with consistent quality and dependable delivery to meet the demanding needs of the medical and research communities.

For more information or to inquire about Nickel-64 products, please visit Nakima Ltd.

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Medical Applications

The first clinical use of Lu-177 was in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), specifically Lu-177-DOTATATE, which is now FDA/EMA-approved. Further applications include prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), with ongoing trials (e.g., VISION, TheraP) demonstrating high response rates. Research is also exploring its potential in treating melanoma, thyroid cancer, meningioma, and fibroblast activation protein (FAPI)-expressing tumors.

Production of Lutetium-177

Lu-177 is produced in nuclear reactors via two methods:

1. Carrier-Added (CA) Lu-177 – Irradiation of enriched Lu-176 with neutrons. While efficient (1 mg of Lu-176 can yield ~50 patient doses), this method co-produces ¹⁷⁷mLu, a long-lived impurity complicating waste management.
2. No-Carrier-Added (NCA) Lu-177 – Produced by neutron irradiation of ytterbium-176 (Yb-176), which decays into pure ¹⁷⁷Lu. This method requires chemical separation of lutetium from ytterbium but eliminates ¹⁷⁷mLu impurities.

Ytterbium-176 Requirements

For NCA ¹⁷⁷Lu production, enriched Yb-176 (>99%) is irradiated in high-flux reactors. Since neutron capture in Yb-176 is less efficient than in Lu-176, producing equivalent activity requires ~1000× more Yb-176 than Lu-176. Given the limited availability of enriched Yb-176 (primarily from Russian calutrons), scaling up production remains a challenge. A reliable supply of high-purity Yb-176 is crucial for ensuring global availability of NCA ¹⁷⁷Lu for medical applications.

Global Sources of Ytterbium-176

Yb-176 is primarily sourced from specialized isotope suppliers and enrichment facilities worldwide. The key suppliers include:

• AMT Isotopes (www.isotope-amt.com) – A major supplier of enriched isotopes, including high-purity ¹⁷⁶Yb for medical applications. AMT Isotopes ensure a reliable supply for NCA Lu-177 production.
• Eurisotop (France, part of Curium Pharma) – Supplies medical-grade isotopes, including Yb-176, for radiopharmaceutical applications.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (USA) – Previously involved in isotope separation, though production capacity is limited.

Market Demand & Future Outlook

The demand for Lu-177 is rapidly increasing, particularly with the expansion of PSMA-based therapies for prostate cancer. Current estimates suggest that widespread adoption could increase production requirements by an order of magnitude. With new Lu-177-based therapies under investigation, securing a sustainable Yb-176 supply and high-flux reactor capacity will be essential to meet future medical needs.!

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