Americium is a synthetic element with the symbol Am and atomic number 95. It was first produced in 1944 by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley as part of research into nuclear materials. Americium is a radioactive metal that belongs to the actinide series and is primarily used in smoke detectors and as a neutron source in various applications. Americium is typically produced in nuclear reactors through the irradiation of plutonium or uranium. It has several isotopes, with americium-241 being the most common and widely used. Due to its radioactivity, americium must be handled with care, and its use is regulated to ensure safety.