Silver has been used to make cups, coins and other metallic items; as an antimicrobial agent in socks; and in in black-and-white photography.  The Latin name for silver is “argentum”. next element                                         previous element

Palladium is used to make the electrodes in glucose strips, which are inserted into glucometers.  Glucometers measure the amount of glucose (blood sugar) in a person’s blood.  People that have diabetes (either Type I or Type II) need to daily monitor the amount of glucose in their blood to make sure it is neither too […]

Rhodium is used in catalytic converters in cars.  A catalyst is something that speeds up a chemical reaction, by participating in the reaction, but the catalyst is not consumed by the reaction.  The energy to propel a car comes from the combustion (burning) of carbon-containing compounds.  When these carbon compounds are burned, carbon dioxide (CO2) […]

    Ruthenium is often used to make fountain pen tips.   next element                                         previous element

    Metastable technetium-99 is a radioactive element that emits gamma radiation: 99Tcm –> 99Tc + γ The fictitious comic book character, Bruce Banner, becomes the Incredible Hulk when angry.  In the story, Bruce Banner was irradiated with gamma rays, which caused him to become the Hulk.   next element                 […]

    Alloys of chromium and molybdenum (chromoly alloys) are often used in high-end bicycle frames.   next element                                         previous element

    An alloy of 89% niobium, 10% hafnium and 1% titanium was used for the rocket thruster nozzles in the Apollo lunar modules.    next element                                         previous element

    Zirconium is the main element in cubic zirconia, which has the formula ZrO2.  Also, zirconium carbonate (ZrOCO3) binds to urushiol, the active ingredient in poison ivy oil.  As a result, zirconium carbonate is often added to poison ivy lotions.   next element                       […]

    Yttrium is used as the electrode in high-end spark plugs.   next element                                         previous element

    Prior to 1982, pennies were made almost completely of copper.  After 1982, pennies have been made mostly from zinc.  The core of the penny is zinc, and a copper coating on the penny gives it a shiny, orange-brown color.   next element                       […]