Investigation topic 1: Endangered elements in the periodic table
Today’s chemists are involved in many branches of chemistry, covering all 118 elements in the periodic table. Some of these elements are now considered to be critical and endangered, particularly due to the prevalence of modern technologies that rely on many different scarce minerals. It has been estimated that 44 elements will soon be, or are already, facing supply limitations, making a future of continuing technological advancement uncertain.
Questions that may be explored in this investigation include:
· How is indium mined and used in the manufacture of products such as LCD screen televisions and computer monitors, mobile phones or photovoltaic panels, and what alternatives are available if indium becomes scarce?
Introduction to Indium
Indium - Element information, properties and uses | Periodic Table. (2017). Rsc.org. https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/49/indium
The mining and use of Indium
The interactive map to show where Indium is mined across the globe.
Indium. (2016). Mindat.org. https://www.mindat.org/min-52462.html
Processing of indium: A review
Akram Alfantazi, & R.R. Moskalyk. (2003). Processing of indium: a review. Minerals Engineering, 16(8), 687–694. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0892-6875(03)00168-7
The invisible technology demand for indium
North. (2021). The invisible technology demand for indium. North of 60 Mining News. https://www.miningnewsnorth.com/story/2021/09/16/critical-minerals-alliances/the-invisible-technology-demand-for-indium/6982.html
Indium – the everyday metal you never see
North. (2020). Indium – the everyday metal you never see. North of 60 Mining News. https://www.miningnewsnorth.com/story/2019/06/01/critical-minerals/indium-the-everyday-metal-you-never-see/5752.html
How Indium is purchased and used
Quadsimia https://www.quadsimia.com. (2023). Indium Nexus | Versatile, Conductive, Malleable | Indium Corporation. Indium Corporation. https://www.indium.com/indium49/
Indium alternatives
Research finds alternative to insufficient indium
Ballard, H. (2021, July 21). Research finds alternative to insufficient indium. Australian Mining. https://www.australianmining.com.au/research-finds-alternative-to-insufficient-indium/
Graphene: Almost The Ideal Replacement for Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)
AZoNano. (2014, December 19). Graphene: Almost The Ideal Replacement for Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). AZoNano.com. https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=3942
Academic literature on indium
Indium and the Future of Critical Metals in Australia
WERNER, T. T. (2017). Indium and the Future of Critical Metals in Australia (Version 1). Monash University. https://doi.org/10.4225/03/5934ee02963b3
