Crossword clues for indium
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Indium \In"di*um\, n. [NL. See Indigo.] (Chem.) A rare metallic element, of atomic number 49, discovered in certain ores of zinc, by means of its characteristic spectrum of two indigo blue lines; hence, its name. In appearance it resembles zinc, being white or lead gray, soft, malleable and easily fusible, but in its chemical relation it resembles aluminium or gallium (valence +3). Symbol In. Atomic weight, 114.82.
Wiktionary
n. A metallic chemical element (''symbol'' In) with an atomic number of 49.
WordNet
n. a rare soft silvery metallic element; occurs in small quantities in sphalerite [syn: In, atomic number 49]
Wikipedia
Indium is a chemical element with symbol In and atomic number 49. It is a post-transition metal that makes up 0.21 parts per million of the Earth's crust. Indium is very soft and malleable, with a melting point higher than sodium and gallium, but lower than lithium or tin. It was discovered with spectroscopy in 1863 by Ferdinand Reich and Hieronymous Theodor Richter, and it was named from the indigo blue line in its spectrum. It was isolated the next year.
Chemically, indium is similar to gallium and thallium, and it is largely intermediate between the two in terms of its properties. It is a minor component in zinc sulfide ores and is produced as a byproduct of zinc refinement. It is most notably used in the semiconductor industry, in low-melting-point metal alloys such as solders, in soft-metal high-vacuum seals, and in the production of transparent conductive coatings of indium tin oxide (ITO) on glass. Indium has no biological role and while its compounds are somewhat toxic when injected into the bloodstream, most occupational exposure is through ingestion, from which indium compounds are not absorbed well, and inhalation, from which they are moderately absorbed.
Usage examples of "indium".
The sparkling charms of corycium and indium floated lazily down among the muddy weeds, and Fassa was released to rise through rings of everlightening water until she broke the surface and breathed in the air that hurt like fire in her lungs.
One face was of nonuniform composition, bearing regularly spaced dots of an alloy of lead, indium, and gold.
These resonant tunnelling computer chips are constructed not of silicone, not even of the newest hyperfast conductive alloys, indium phosphide and aluminium gallium arsenide.
Laser transistors composed of atomic layers not of indium phosphide and aluminium gallium arsenide but of a monocrystalline diamond film were all well and good for high electron mobility (in fact, he was astounded that the Americans actually had perfected them) but, the Scoundrel knew, under the right circumstances they actually could work to his advantage.
But the weapons were mostly used for harvesting, rather than destruction, for over the centuries a secondary industry for Gutien and Nan had been built on the collection of debris between the rings and the refinement of metals, mostly iron, aluminum, and indium.
The indium barrel had sublimed under heavy use until the bore was almost twice its normal diameter.