Today, we recognize the mother of #nuclearenergy: Marie Curie. Her groundbreaking research on radioactivity—and the discovery of radium—not only earned her two Nobel Prizes, but also laid the scientific foundation for what would become one of the most powerful energy sources in the world. By revealing that radioactive elements emit energy from the nucleus of an atom, Curie opened the door to our modern understanding of nuclear physics. Her work ultimately made possible the development of nuclear fission—the same process that powers nuclear reactors today and provides clean, reliable electricity around the world.
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Well said Eben. Last summer my wife and I saw a play titled “The Halflife of Madam Curie. I learned that Pierre Curie refused to accept his Nobel Prize unless the Prize was also awarded to her because they worked together on radioactivity. Then she won a second Nobel Prize later on for pioneering medical uses of X-rays. Our Western culture was very unkind to women like Marie and Lisa.
SVP/Chief Scientist: X-energy
2wToday we rightly honor Marie Curie—the mother of #nuclearenergy—for her pioneering work on radioactivity and her unmatched legacy in science. But we must also remember another foundational figure: Lise Meitner. While Curie revealed that atoms hold vast energy within their nuclei, it was Meitner who, decades later, helped explain how that energy could be released through nuclear fission. Her collaboration with Otto Hahn and her theoretical insight led to the first understanding of how uranium nuclei could split—sparking the nuclear age. Together, Curie and Meitner laid the scientific groundwork for one of the most potent tools in humanity’s energy arsenal. Let’s ensure their contributions remain part of the story as we shape a clean, resilient energy future. #WomenInSTEM #NuclearPioneers #CleanEnergy