Curium-244 is a radioactive isotope of the element Curium, which is part of the actinide series in the periodic table. It was first synthesized in 1944 by scientists Glenn T. Seaborg, Albert Ghiorso, and Emilio Segrè at the University of California, Berkeley. Curium-244 has a half-life of about 18.1 years and decays primarily through alpha emission. This isotope is used in various applications, including scientific research and as a neutron source in certain types of nuclear reactors. Due to its radioactivity, handling Curium-244 requires strict safety protocols to protect against radiation exposure.