Yttrium might not be the most talked-about element, but it has a big role in some of today’s most advanced technology. From lasers to TV screens, yttrium is all around us, quietly helping to make life easier and more exciting. Let’s learn more about where it came from and how it’s used today!
The Discovery of Yttrium
The story of yttrium begins over 200 years ago in a small village called Ytterby, in Sweden. In 1787, a Swedish chemist named Carl Axel Arrhenius found a strange black rock in a quarry near Ytterby. Curious about what it might contain, Arrhenius took the rock to Johan Gadolin, a Finnish chemist. In 1794, after careful study, Gadolin discovered that the rock contained a new element, which was later named yttrium, after the village of Ytterby. This discovery opened the door to finding other rare earth elements, many of which were also found in the same area.
What is Yttrium?
Yttrium (Y), element number 39 on the periodic table, is classified as a rare earth element. Even though its name suggests that it’s rare, yttrium is actually more common in the Earth’s crust than you might think. However, it’s rarely found in large, pure amounts, which is why we call it “rare.” Yttrium is a silvery-metallic material that doesn’t rust easily, making it useful for many modern applications.
Modern-Day Uses of Yttrium
Yttrium is a superhero behind the scenes in many everyday technologies. Let’s look at how this fascinating element is helping shape the world around us!
1. Lighting Up the World: LEDs and Phosphors
If you’ve ever used an LED light or watched a flat-screen TV, you’ve likely benefitted from yttrium! Yttrium is used in phosphors, which are materials that glow when exposed to light. Phosphors containing yttrium, like yttrium oxide, are used in red LEDs and color TV screens to produce bright, vivid colors. Yttrium helps create the bright red color in TV displays and LED lights, giving us the high-quality visuals we enjoy today.
2. Super Strong Materials: Yttrium in Alloys
Yttrium is added to certain metals to make them stronger and more resistant to heat. These special yttrium alloys are used in high-temperature environments, such as jet engines and aerospace parts. Yttrium helps make these materials more durable, so they can withstand extreme temperatures without breaking down. This makes it important in industries where materials need to be both lightweight and strong.
3. Medicine: Fighting Cancer with Yttrium-90
Yttrium plays a life-saving role in modern medicine. A radioactive form of yttrium, called yttrium-90, is used in radiation therapy to treat certain types of cancer. Doctors use yttrium-90 to deliver targeted radiation directly to tumors, helping to destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. This treatment is especially useful in cases of liver cancer, where yttrium-90 can be injected directly into the blood vessels feeding the tumor.
4. Lasers: Yttrium in High-Tech Equipment
One of the most exciting uses of yttrium is in yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) lasers. These lasers are used in a variety of applications, from cutting materials in factories to performing delicate surgeries. YAG lasers are highly precise and can be used to cut through hard materials, such as metals, or to perform laser eye surgery to correct vision. Without yttrium, many of these advanced laser technologies wouldn’t be possible!
5. Yttrium in Superconductors
Yttrium is also used in superconductors, materials that can carry electricity without losing energy. These superconductors are used in powerful magnets for MRI machines, as well as in experimental technologies like maglev trains, which use magnetic forces to “float” above tracks. Yttrium-based superconductors are important because they can work at higher temperatures than other types, making them more practical for use in the real world.
6. Ceramics: Heat-Resistant Materials
Yttrium is used to make yttria-stabilized zirconia, a type of ceramic that can withstand extreme heat. This ceramic is used to coat turbine blades in jet engines, helping them stay cool even in the hottest conditions. It’s also used in dental implants and other medical devices, where its strength and durability make it a perfect fit.
Conclusion
From lighting up our homes to helping doctors fight cancer, yttrium is an incredibly useful element that makes a big impact on modern technology. Its discovery in a small Swedish village over 200 years ago led to its use in everything from LED screens to superconductors. So, the next time you watch TV, flip on an LED light, or hear about a life-saving cancer treatment, remember that yttrium is quietly helping to make it all possible!