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Citation: Daxiang Gui, Hui Li. The dual-faced envoy of the elemental world[J]. University Chemistry, ;2026, 41(4): 317-323. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202502098 shu

The dual-faced envoy of the elemental world

Daxiang Gui ^1,, ,
Hui Li ²

1.
School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui Province, China;
2.
School of Radiation Medicine and Protection (SRMP), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu Province, China

Corresponding author: Daxiang Gui, guidaxiang@ahpu.edu.cn
Received Date: 20 February 2025
Accepted Date: 10 June 2025

The technological trajectory of uranium is characterized by its inherent duality: Uranium-235 serves as the foundation for nuclear energy and weaponry, whereas Uranium-238 provides the basis for geological dating. From its initial misidentification to its pivotal role in the militarized “Manhattan Project”, uranium has emerged as both a source of clean nuclear power and a devastating weapon, establishing it as a paradigmatic case in scientific ethics. This article presents a comprehensive examination of uranium's dual identity, encompassing its cosmic origins, discovery, physicochemical properties, diverse applications, and associated ethical dilemmas.
- Uranium,
- Isotopes,
- Nuclear energy,
- Popularization of chemistry
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