Edwin McMillan (nuclear physicist)

Edwin McMillan was a pioneering American nuclear physicist known for his discovery of the first transuranic element, neptunium, in 1940, which extended the periodic table beyond uranium. His work involved creating and studying radioactive elements through particle accelerators, helping to advance nuclear science. McMillan also co-invented the synchrotron, a type of particle accelerator that enables high-energy collisions, fundamental for many modern physics experiments. His research contributed to understanding atomic nuclei and nuclear reactions, playing a significant role in the development of nuclear energy and medicine. In 1951, he received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his achievements.