Berkelium-241 is a synthetic radioactive isotope of the element Berkelium, which is part of the actinide series in the periodic table. It was first discovered in 1949 by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley. Berkelium-241 has a half-life of about 4.2 hours, making it relatively short-lived compared to other isotopes. This isotope is primarily produced in nuclear reactors and is used in various scientific research applications, including studies in nuclear chemistry and materials science. Due to its radioactivity, handling Berkelium-241 requires strict safety protocols to protect researchers from exposure.