"Californium-252 (Cf-252) is a radioactive chemical element that was discovered in 1950 at the University of California Radiation Laboratory. Since then, Cf-252 has become a leading neutron source for a variety of applications ranging from neutron spectroscopy to gold and silver prospecting, and much more. Strong neutron emissions from Cf-252 enable it to serve as a powerful fuel and information source. However, the element’s extremely radioactive nature can create health risks if one is directly exposed to it. Just one microgram of Cf-252 can release 170 million neutrons per minute, and, if ingested, can damage the skeleton, liver, and other parts of the body."