Born on this date in 1743 was Martin Klaproth, the German chemist who discovered zirconium in 1789. 10 things you might not know about Zirconium:
- Its symbol is Zr and its atomic number is 40.
- It is found in the mineral zircon, from which it gets its name. The mineral gets its name from the Persian word for gold coloured. Zircon crystals come in a variety of colours and have been used to make gemstones. It’s sometimes known as jargoon, hyacinth, jacinth or ligure, and was mentioned in the Bible. It wasn’t until 1789 that anyone realised there was a new element in it.
- Martin Klaproth discovered zirconium while analysing a jargoon gemstone from Sri Lanka. It was 1824 before the metal form was isolated by a Swedish chemist called Jöns Jacob Berzelius.
- It is a grey-white metal.
- The melting point of zirconium is 1855 °C (3371 °F), and the boiling point is 4371 °C (7900 °F).
- Zirconium powder is highly flammable.
- Zirconium has a concentration of about 130 mg/kg in the Earth's crust and about 0.026 μg/L in sea water. It is not found in its metallic form in nature.
- Australia, Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa and the USA are the primary sources of zirconium on Earth. It is present in the Sun, some Meteorites, and in Moon rock.
- It doesn’t have any known biological role, but it is present in our food. We take in about 4.15 milligrams of it a day. It’s found in brown Rice, Spinach and Eggs. Scientists have found no evidence that it does humans harm, unless the powder gets in someone’s eyes.
- What is it used for? Aside from making jewellery – cubic zirconia is a cheaper alternative to Diamonds – it can be used in grinding wheels or sandpaper, or as an opacifier, that is, something that makes other materials, such as ceramics, opaque. Dental implants and replacement bones, such as hip replacements are among its medical uses.
Killing Me Softly
Sebastian Garrett is an assassin. It wasn’t his first choice of vocation, but nonetheless, he’s good at it, and can be relied upon to get the job done. He’s on top of his game.
Until he is contracted to kill Princess Helena of Galorvia. She is not just any princess. Sebastian doesn’t bargain on his intended victim being a super-heroine who gives as good as she gets. Only his own genetic variant power saves him from becoming the victim, instead of Helena.
Fate has another surprise in store. Sebastian was not expecting to fall in love with her.
Until he is contracted to kill Princess Helena of Galorvia. She is not just any princess. Sebastian doesn’t bargain on his intended victim being a super-heroine who gives as good as she gets. Only his own genetic variant power saves him from becoming the victim, instead of Helena.
Fate has another surprise in store. Sebastian was not expecting to fall in love with her.
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