A Truly Hard-To-Obtain Element ── Dysprosium
Introduction Dysprosium was first isolated in 1886 by French chemist Paul Émile L. de Boisbaudran while studying erbium oxide in […]
Another Indistinguishable Twin – The Green-Emitting “Praseodymium”
Introduction In 1874, P. T. Cleve demonstrated that didymium was a mixture of at least two elements. It wasn’t until
The Famous Twin Rare Earth Element Mystery – The Powerful “Neodymium” Magnet
Introduction Neodymium was discovered in 1885 by Austrian chemist C. A. von Welsbach in Vienna. Interestingly, the name “Neodymium” comes
MRI Contrast Agents Containing Gadolinium: Medical Warnings Issued
Introduction Gadolinium was discovered in 1880 by Jean Charles G. de Marignac and named after gadolinite, the mineral from which
“Samarium” – Though Lacks a Legendary Story, Its Magnetic Power Ranks Just Below Neodymium Magnets
Introduction Samarium was first discovered in 1879 by French chemist Paul-Émile L. de Boisbaudran from the rare earth mineral samarskite,
Thulium, Named After the Mythical Northern Land of Thule from Greek Mythology
Introduction In 1879, Swedish chemist P. T. Cleve isolated pale green thulium oxide from erbium ores and named it “Thulia”
Holmium: Wielding Immense Power, It Obliterates Kidney Stones
Previous articles mentioned the discovery of erbium oxide by scientist Mosander, leading not only to the separation of ytterbium (Yb)
The Naming Debate of the Youngest Sibling of Ytterby Village’s triplets—Ytterbium
Ytterbium is a rare earth element with the chemical symbol Yb. First isolated in 1878 from gadolinite, its name comes from the village of Ytterby in Sweden, where the mineral was discovered. It has multiple stable and radioactive isotopes and is primarily used in laser technology, alloy strengthening, fiber optic communications, medical imaging, and nuclear medicine. Its properties make it useful in aviation, chemicals, electronics, geophysical monitoring, and it holds potential in high-density explosives and optical clocks.
“Erbium” seems to have a knack for separation, as it has given rise to several rare earth elements
In a previous article, we mentioned the rare earth element “Terbium.” Its sibling elements, discovered in the same year, include
The Rare Earth Triplets—Terbium, the Unfortunate Victim
Previously, we discussed how “Yttrium” was discovered in a mine near the village of Ytterby in Sweden. Interestingly, there are
