indium [In]

Introduction

From the Latin indicum meaning violet or indigo. Discovered in 1863 by German chemists Ferdinand Reich & Hieronymous T Richter

Occurrence

• occurs in sphalerite ores
• generally occurs with zinc, lead, iron & copper ores
• Canada produces the majority of the world's supply of indium

Characteristics

• malleable silvery element with a brilliant luster
• chiefly trivalent
• emits bright violet light
• moderately toxic when ingested
  • affects liver, heart, kidney
• suspected teratogen

Uses

• plating for bearings
• alloys melting at low temperatures
• making of transistors & thermistors
• wetting of glass

Laboratory

• indium in specimen
  • indium in erythrocytes
  • indium in blood
  • indium in serum/plasma
  • indium in urine

More general terms

• chemical element
• metal

More specific terms

• indium-111
• indium-113m

Additional terms

• periodic table

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=24000