germanium [Ge]
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Introduction
From the Latin Germania, Germany. Mendeleyev used is periodic table to predict the existence of a silicon-like element in 1871. 15 years later (1886), the German chemist Clemens Winkler discovered germanium.
Occurrence
- rare
- found in coal, argyrodite
Characteristics
- a grayish white brittle metalloid element that resembles silicon
- a semiconductor
- poor conductivity
Uses
- used as a semiconductor
- doped germanium materials are used to make transistors for miniature electronics
- herbal preparations/remedies*
* Avoid germanium containing herbal preparations, as use has been associated with renal failure.
Laboratory
- germanium in hair
- germanium in erythrocytes
- germanium in blood
- germanium in serum/plasma
- germanium in urine