Indium (In)

Bid: 26%

Key Characteristics: Soft, silvery-white metal with a low melting point (about 156.6 °C).
Properties: Ductile, relatively rare; effectively wets glass and metals.
Applications:

Electronics: Indium compounds (InP, InGaN) in semiconductor devices.
Displays: Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) as a transparent conductive layer in LCDs and touchscreens.
Solders: Low-temperature alloys for soldering delicate electronic components.
Alloys: Enhances corrosion resistance and ductility in certain metals.

Description

History and Discovery
Indium was discovered in 1863 by German chemists Ferdinand Reich and Theodor Richter during a spectral analysis of sphalerite (zinc ore). The name comes from its characteristic indigo (blue-violet) line in the spectrum.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Soft, ductile, silver-white metal with a melting point of approximately 156.6°C.
Known for its ability to wet almost all metals, including glass.
Rare, but more abundant than rhenium or osmium.

Main Applications

Indium Tin Oxide (ITO): Widely used in the production of LCD and touchscreens, as well as solar panels.
Semiconductors: Indium compounds (InP, InGaN) are utilized in high-speed electronics and LEDs (especially for "blue" and "green" light).
Solders: Indium is used in low-melting-point solder alloys, crucial for delicate microchip work.

Interesting Facts

Gallium-indium mixtures can remain liquid at room temperature.
Indium has a very high coefficient of thermal expansion, a factor to consider in precision device manufacturing.
Uniqueness: Used in touchscreens, solar panels, and semiconductors due to its ductility and conductivity.
Importance: Essential for the development of electronics, renewable energy, and modern displays.
Extraction Challenges: Indium is typically a byproduct of zinc ore processing, complicating its large-scale extraction.

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