Silicon, the second most abundant element in Earth’s crust after oxygen, has transformed from a scientific curiosity into the fundamental building block of modern technology. From ancient glass-making to cutting-edge semiconductor fabrication,…
Category: Metalloids
A History Of Boron
Boron, the fifth element on the periodic table, has played a fascinating role throughout human history, from ancient civilizations to modern technological applications. This unique metalloid, with its distinctive properties bridging metals…
A History Of Antimony
Antimony, a lustrous gray metalloid bearing the chemical symbol Sb and atomic number 51, stands as one of humanity’s most enduring chemical companions. From the kohl-lined eyes of ancient Egyptian royalty to…
A History Of Tellurium
Tellurium stands as one of Earth’s rarest elements, a silvery-white metalloid whose scarcity rivals that of platinum yet whose applications have proven essential to modern technology. From its discovery in Transylvanian gold…
A History Of Arsenic
Throughout human history, few substances have played such a paradoxical role as arsenic. Known simultaneously as the “king of poisons” and the “saviour of syphilis,” arsenic has woven its way through millennia…
A History Of Germanium
Germanium, element 32 on the periodic table, stands as one of the most remarkable success stories in the history of chemistry and materials science. From its theoretical prediction to its pivotal role…
Interesting Facts About Silicon: A Critical Raw Material
Silicon (Si) is a light chemical element that combines with oxygen and other elements to form silicates. Silicon in the form of silicates constitutes more than 25% of the Earth’s crust. Silica…
Interesting Facts About Boron: A Critical Raw Material
Strategic and economic factors have elevated boron’s importance in recent years. The U.S. Department of Defense’s $49.6 million investment under the Defense Production Act to boost domestic boron carbide production underscores its…
20 Interesting Facts About Antimony
Antimony is an important mineral commodity used widely in modern industrialized societies and considered by many nations to be a Critical Resource Mineral because of its applications in aerospace and defense. There…
20 Interesting Facts About Tellurium
Tellurium is critical to efficient, thin-film photovoltaic cells that produce electricity from sunlight. Several materials can replace tellurium in most of its uses, but with losses in efficiency and product characteristics. With…