Rare Metal Tantalum Discovered in Punjab Soil

November 22, 2023

A team led by Dr. Resmi Sebastian, assistant professor at the institute’s Civil Engineering Department, has discovered tantalum, a rare metal, in Punjab soil. This discovery holds significance not only for Punjab but for India, given tantalum’s widespread use in electronics and semiconductors.

Properties of Tantalum

Atomic Number and Characteristics: Tantalum, with the atomic number 73, is a grey, heavy, and highly corrosion-resistant metal. It is known for its hardness and ductility, allowing it to be stretched into thin wires without breaking.
Corrosion Resistance: Tantalum’s corrosion resistance is attributed to the formation of a highly resistant oxide layer when exposed to air.
Chemical Immunity: It is almost completely immune to chemical attack at temperatures below 150°C and is attacked only by specific corrosive substances, such as hydrofluoric acid and certain acidic solutions.

Discovery and Name Origin

Discovery: Discovered in 1802 by Swedish chemist Anders Gustaf Ekenberg in minerals obtained from Ytterby, Sweden. Initially, it was thought to be a different form of niobium.
Confirmation: The distinction between tantalum and niobium was confirmed by Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac in 1866.
Name Origin: Named after the Greek mythological figure Tantalus due to its insolubility in acids, drawing a parallel to Tantalus’ inability to drink water or pick fruit in the underworld.

Uses of Tantalum

Electronics: Tantalum capacitors are crucial in electronic devices, storing more electricity in smaller sizes without leakage.
Substitute for Platinum: Tantalum’s high melting point makes it a cost-effective substitute for platinum in various applications.
Industrial Applications: Used in chemical plants, nuclear power plants, aircraft, missiles, and surgical equipment.
Cutting-Edge Material: Composite materials like tantalum carbide (TaC) and graphite, known for extreme hardness, are used in high-speed machine tool cutting edges.

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