Indium


 * __Indium:__**

Indium's current primary application is to form transparent electrodes from [|indium tin oxide] in [|liquid crystal displays] and [|touchscreens], and this use largely determines its global mining production. It is widely used in thin-films to form lubricated layers (during [|World War II] it was widely used to coat bearings in high-performance [|aircraft] ). It is also used for making particularly low melting point alloys, and is a component in some lead-free solders. Indium is not known to be used by any organism. In a similar way to aluminium salts, indium(III) ions can be toxic to the kidney when given by injection, but oral indium compounds do not have the chronic toxicity of salts of heavy metals, probably due to poor absorption in basic conditions. Radioactive indium-111 (in very small amounts on a chemical basis) is used in [|nuclear medicine] tests, as a [|radiotracer] to follow the movement of labeled proteins and [|white blood cells] in the body.
 * Indium** ([[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Loudspeaker.svg/11px-Loudspeaker.svg.png width="11" height="11" caption="play"]] [|/][|ˈ][|ɪ][|n][|d][|i][|ə][|m][|/] [|//**in**-dee-əm//]  ) is a [|chemical element] with the symbol **In** and [|atomic number] 49. This rare, very soft, malleable and easily [|fusible] [|post-transition metal] is chemically similar to [|gallium] and [|thallium], and shows intermediate properties between these two. Indium was discovered in 1863 and named for the [|indigo blue] line in its spectrum that was the first indication of its existence in zinc ores, as a new and unknown element. The metal was first isolated in the following year. Zinc ores continue to be the primary source of indium, where it is found in compound form. Very rarely the element can be found as grains of native (free) metal, but these are not of commercial importance.

Indium is metal that is solid at room temperature. On the periodic table it is located in group 13 and period 5. It is a rare metal, and it is very soft/malleable Zinc ore is the primary source of Indium
 * Atomic Symbol: In
 * Atomic Weight: 114.818
 * Melting Point: 156 degrees Celsius/313.88 degrees Fahrenheit
 * Boiling Point: 2072 degrees Celsius/3762 degrees Fahrenheit
 * Density: 7.31 grams per cubic centimeter
 * Uses**
 * used in making bearing alloys, germanium transistors, rectifiers, thermistors, and photoconductors
 * it can be plated onto metal and evaporated onto glass, forming a mirror as good as those made with silver, but with more resistance to atmospheric corrosion
 * photocells
 * used to make low-melting alloys, alloyed with gallium
 * indium is used in solders
 * can be made into Indium Tin Oxide which can be used to make solar panels and plasma screens
 * can be made into Indium Tin Oxide which can be used to make solar panels and plasma screens

Indium allows for even distribution of lubricating oil which is why it is used on the bearings of high speed motors. Mirrors made out of Indium do not tarnish as quickly as silver mirrors although they are not as reflective.