A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

80

Ru

44

44 44 57

State: Solid

Discovery: 1844

Forms

Uses

Ruthenium

This

component

contains

ruthenium

dioxide.

This yellow-brown

mineral is often found

deep underground.

These cr ystals have

a bright, silver colour.

These low-cost solar panels

are made using ruthenium.

SwissTech Convention

Electronic circuit board Centre, Switzerland

The metal alloy in the

switch is toughened by

adding ruthenium.

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Ruthenium is named after Ruthenia, an

old Latin name for Russia. This rare metal

is found in the mineral pentlandite, and its

pure form is commonly extracted from this

ore. A compound called ruthenium dioxide

is used in several components in electronic

circuits, including resistors and microchips for

computers and other digital devices. Adding a

small amount of ruthenium makes softer metals,

such as platinum and palladium, much tougher.

Moving parts in devices such as switches

benefit from this property.

Pentla

ndite

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080-081_Ruthenium_Rhodium.indd 80 12/12/16 5:38 pm