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Tellurium is a rare, nonmetal element used in glassmaking, metal alloys, solar panels, and semiconductors. It is usually found in compounds and is a byproduct of mining. It was discovered in 1782 and is identified by the symbol Te. It can be toxic and is harmful to the environment if not properly controlled during mining.
Tellurium is a nonmetal chemical element that is used in a variety of industries, primarily in the form of an additive to an assortment of compounds and alloys. It is relatively rare on the earth’s surface and is usually found in combination with other materials, such as gold. Tellurium can be isolated through chemical or electrolytic processes. Due to its rarity, the item can be expensive, especially in pure form.
Franz Muller von Reichenstein was the first to identify tellurium, in 1782, and it was isolated and named in 1798 after the Latin word for earth. In its pure form, the element is brittle and silvery white, with a crystalline structure. The atomic number of tellurium is 52 and the element is identified by the symbol Te on the periodic table of elements. It is considered mildly toxic, so people should avoid prolonged exposure to tellurium, especially inhalation exposure. While serious poisoning appears to be rare, the element can cause characteristic garlic breath in astonishingly low concentrations.
In glassmaking, tellurium can be added to glass for color. The element is also added to metal alloys to make them stronger and more ductile, and is also used in the manufacture of solar panels and some semiconductors. Most famously it was used in the casing of the first atomic bomb and has also had historical use in steelmaking. Some ceramics can also integrate tellurium and can be mixed with optical glass and lenses.
Because tellurium usually comes in the form of compounds, it’s considered a byproduct of the mining industry, with most companies mining other materials and separating the tellurium during the refining process. This practice distinguishes tellurium from metals such as gold, which companies actively seek and specifically mine for. Because the process of separating naturally mixed elements can be harmful to the environment, mining companies must use stringent programs to control their facilities and prevent contamination.
Consumers generally do not interact directly with tellurium. Some employees in various industries may handle the element, especially if they work with frequently alloyed metals such as iron which can be mixed with tellurium to strengthen it. In semiconductor manufacturing, tellurium is often mixed with mercury and cadmium to create a semiconductor that can read infrared radiation. This semiconductor tends to be expensive, making it suitable only for scientific research and high-end military applications.
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