Holmium: Wielding Immense Power, It Obliterates Kidney Stones

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Previous articles mentioned the discovery of erbium oxide by scientist Mosander, leading not only to the separation of ytterbium (Yb) but also holmium (Ho) and thulium (Tm). Now, let’s dive into the rare earth element “holmium”! Introduction Holmium (Ho) has 35 isotopes, with naturally occurring 165Ho being the most stable. The remaining isotopes are artificially …

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The Naming Debate of the Youngest Sibling of Ytterby Village’s triplets—Ytterbium

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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

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In a previous article, we mentioned the rare earth element “Terbium.” Its sibling elements, discovered in the same year, include “Erbium.” Initially, terbium oxide and erbium oxide were confused with each other, and it wasn’t until after 1860 that this was corrected. Both Er and Tb were isolated from gadolinite, yet their oxides differ in …

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The Rare Earth Triplets—Terbium, the Unfortunate Victim

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Previously, we discussed how “Yttrium” was discovered in a mine near the village of Ytterby in Sweden. Interestingly, there are three other elements that, much like triplets, have similar names and are often confused: Erbium (Er), Terbium (Tb), and Ytterbium (Yb). All of these were also discovered in the same area. In the lanthanide family, …

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The Head of the Lanthanide Family — Lanthanum

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When discussing rare earth elements, we cannot overlook the large group of lanthanides, one of the most important categories in the periodic table.Most lanthanide elements are found in monazite and bastnäsite, and they are typically mixed together in stable proportions (with lanthanum comprising 25-38%). These elements are separated from each other as oxides and are …

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Yttrium Brought Back by Apollo from the Moon

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Recently, the topic of superconductors has resurfaced in discussions, particularly with the idea that at low enough temperatures, certain materials exhibit zero electrical resistance—a phenomenon known as superconductivity. Introduction In 1986, scientists Muller and Bednorz at IBM’s laboratory in Switzerland discovered a series of ceramics that exhibited superconductivity at 35 K. The following year, scientists …

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The Inseparable Relationship Between Diamonds and Superconductors

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When discussing the connection between diamonds and superconductors, the most exciting topic is the superconductivity of diamonds. Under the right conditions, diamonds can exhibit superconducting properties, a discovery that has attracted significant attention in the scientific community and opened up new possibilities for superconducting technologies and applications. Initial Discovery of Diamond Superconductivity In 1991, scientists …

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An introduction to the history of superconductors

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Superconductivity is a fascinating physical phenomenon where, under specific conditions, materials exhibit zero electrical resistance and expel magnetic fields completely. The history of this field is intertwined with the contributions of many renowned scientists, significant experimental discoveries, and theoretical breakthroughs. Let’s delve into the trajectory of superconductivity, exploring how this mysterious phenomenon has been progressively unveiled and applied.

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