He was awarded the 1943 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on radioisotopes and their use as tracers in studying the chemical processes within living systems. He developed the X-ray fluorescence analytical method, and discovered the Samarium alpha-ray. It was here he began the use of radioactive isotopes in studying the metabolic processes of plants and animals, by tracing chemicals in the body by replacing part of stable isotopes with small quantities of the radioactive isotopes. In 1923, Hevesy published the first study on the use of the naturally radioactive 212Pb as radioactive tracer to follow the absorption and translocation in the roots, stems and leaves of Vicia fabia, also known as the broad bean. He also discovered the element hafnium (Hf) with Dick Coster in 1923.
July 5th- Hungarian-Swedish chemist George de Hevesy died on this day in 1966
49300login-checkJuly 5th- Hungarian-Swedish chemist George de Hevesy died on this day in 1966
