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Cork is a natural substance that is extracted from the cork oak tree. It is considered to be a sustainable and environmentally friendly product because the tree is not harmed during harvesting. It is a useful material because it has elastic properties, is virtually impermeable (fluid doesn’t pass through it), it floats and is fire resistant. Most cork is harvested from Portugal (53%) and Spain (30%).It is best known as a stopper for wine bottles, but it has many other uses as well.
Scandium is the 21st element on the periodic table and is represented by the symbol Sc. It was discovered by Lars Fredrik Nilson in 1879. In its pure form it is silvery-white material and is solid at room temperature. It is commonly produced as a by-product during the extraction of uranium and iron. Worldwide production remains low, which reduces the applications of this chemical element.
Magnetite is a common type of iron oxide (compound comprised of iron and oxygen). It occurs in almost all types of igneous and metamorphic rocks and in many sedimentary rocks as well. It can be found throughout the world, with large deposits of magnetite in Chile, Sweden, Australia and the US. It is suspected that other large deposits will be found in other parts of the world as well. Magnetite is responsible for black beach sand that can be found in California and the west coast of New Zealand.
Germanium is the 32 element on the periodic table and with an atomic mass of 72.63. It is a hard gray-white substance that is found in zinc, silver, lead and copper ores. A German chemist called Clemens Winkler discovered the element in 1886 and named it after Germany. The main production of germanium is as a byproduct from zinc ore and there is over 100 tonnes produced each year. It is highly sort after for its important applications.
Gallium is the 31st element on the periodic table and is represented by the chemical symbol Ga. it is a soft silvery substance and melts slightly above room temperature. It was discovered in 1875 by French chemist Paul Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran. Most production of gallium occurs as a byproduct of aluminium or zinc production. Gilliam has a wide variety of uses in many different industries.
Diatomaceous earth, also known as diatomite, is a naturally occurring substance made of fossilized remains of a type of hard shelled algae called diatoms. It consists mostly of silica with small amounts of alumina and iron oxide. It was discovered sometime around 1836 in Lüneburg Heath in Germany by Peter Kasten, who initially mistook it for limestone. It has since been discovered in many other parts of the world, where it is mined for it vast array of different uses.
Selenium, chemical symbol Se, is the 34 element on the periodic table and is considered to be a nonmetal. It is most commonly produced during the refining of copper or in the creation of sulfuric acid. Even though it is toxic in large doses, it is an essential micronutrient in the body. It has many other uses in a variety of different industries.
Melamine is a chemical compound comprised of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. It is a white substance that was first created by a German chemist called Justus von Liebig in 1834. It is harmful if swallowed or inhaled and can cause damage to the reproductive system and kidneys. In 2008 many brands of Chinese infant formulas were found to contain high levels of melamine, which led to 50,000 hospitalizations and 6 infant deaths from kidney failure. It is also a known carcinogen and can even cause death in large amounts. However, despite these drawbacks melamine has many uses in a variety of industries.
Limestone is a sedimentary rock which is made of calcite and aragonite (both forms of calcium carbonate). It makes up approximately 10% of all of the Earth’s sedimentary rocks. Although it is widely believed to be white in color, it can actually have many different colors because of impurities in the rock. It has been used for centuries for a wide variety of applications.
Glycerin, also known as Glycerol, is a colorless and odorless clear liquid. It is made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Glycerin is produced in the soap making process, is a byproduct of biodiesel production and can also be produced from propylene. It is often made from animal fats and vegetable oils. Glycerin has many uses due to a low toxicity rating and its sweet taste.