Berkelium-247 is a synthetic radioactive isotope of the element Berkelium, which has the atomic number 97. It was first produced in 1949 by a team of scientists at the University of California, Berkeley. This isotope has a half-life of about 1.4 days, making it relatively short-lived compared to other isotopes. Berkelium-247 is primarily used in scientific research, particularly in the study of heavy elements and their properties. Due to its radioactivity, it must be handled with care in controlled environments to ensure safety. Its production typically involves bombarding Plutonium with neutrons in a nuclear reactor.