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Where is thulium used?
Uses and properties A bright, silvery metal. When irradiated in a nuclear reactor, thulium produces an isotope that emits x-rays. A ‘button’ of this isotope is used to make a lightweight, portable x-ray machine for medical use. Thulium is used in lasers with surgical applications.
What was thulium first used for?
Thulium was discovered by Swedish chemist Per Teodor Cleve in 1879 by looking for impurities in the oxides of other rare earth elements (this was the same method Carl Gustaf Mosander earlier used to discover some other rare earth elements). Cleve started by removing all of the known contaminants of erbia (Er2O3).
Does the human body use Ytterbium?
Health effects of ytterbium Ytterbium has no biological role, but it has been noted that its salts stimulate metabolism. Ytterbium is a skin and eye irritant and it is also a suspected teratogen.
How much does thulium cost?
Thulium metal costs $50/g. Thulium can be isolated by reduction of the oxide with lanthanum metal or by calcium reduction of a closed container. The element is silver-gray, soft, malleable, and ductile, and can be cut with a knife.
What are 3 uses for ytterbium?
Ytterbium has few uses. It can be alloyed with stainless steel to improve some of its mechanical properties and used as a doping agent in fiber optic cable where it can be used as an amplifier. One of ytterbium’s isotopes is being considered as a radiation source for portable X-ray machines.
How is thulium found in the human body?
While thulium is found in the human body, it has no biological role. Soluble salts, have been found to speed metabolism. Insoluble salts are non-toxic and safe while soluble ones are slightly toxic. The element poses no threat to plant and animal life and is thus not considered environmental hazard. You can link to this page, using the code below:
Are there any health effects from taking thulium?
Health effects of thulium. Soluble thulium salts are regarded as slightly toxic in taken in large amounts, but the soluble salts are completely not toxic.
What is thulium used for on the periodic table?
It is the thirteenth element in the lanthanide series in the periodic table. The element is barely traced purely in nature but it is traced in minute amounts in minerals with other rare earth metals. It is used for laser manufacturing and for surgical purposes.
How is thulium used in lasers and surgical applications?
Thulium is used in lasers with surgical applications. Thulium has no known biological role. It is non-toxic. Thulium is found principally in the mineral monazite, which contains about 20 parts per million. It is extracted by ion exchange and solvent extraction.