Gallium is Cool !

Discussion in 'General Precious Metals Discussion' started by Dynoman, May 21, 2011.

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  1. Dynoman

    Dynoman Active Member

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    Gallium is a silvery metal with atomic number 31. It's used in semiconductors and LEDs, but the cool thing about it is its melting point, which is only about 30 degrees Celsius. If you hold a solid gallium crystal in your hand, your body heat will cause it to slowly melt into a silvery metallic puddle. Pour it into a dish, and it freezes back into a solid.

    While you probably shouldn't lick your fingers after playing with it, gallium isn't toxic and won't make you crazy like mercury does. And if you get tired of it, you can melt it onto glass and make yourself a mirror.

    [​IMG]

    http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1JKy66/dvice.com/archives/2010/12/11-cheap-gifts.php
     
    Dynoman, May 21, 2011
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  2. THUCYDIDES79

    THUCYDIDES79 New Member Silver Stacker

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    It is cool - terminator style.

    where can this be bought :)
     
    THUCYDIDES79, May 21, 2011
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  3. Dynoman

    Dynoman Active Member

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    Dynoman, May 21, 2011
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  4. kram

    kram New Member

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    Awesome

    [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaJ_Yxj9bG8[/youtube]
     
    kram, May 21, 2011
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  5. hiho

    hiho Active Member Silver Stacker

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    a mate of mine is a tool maker and when he was an apprentice he made a mould of a teaspoon. he used to make teaspoons from that stuff and put them on the tea ladies trolley lol.
     
    hiho, May 21, 2011
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  6. THUCYDIDES79

    THUCYDIDES79 New Member Silver Stacker

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    THUCYDIDES79, May 21, 2011
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  7. Comper100

    Comper100 Member

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    A mimetic poly-alloy....It can form solid metal shapes, like Knives and stabbing weapons :D

    Just had to :)
     
    Comper100, May 21, 2011
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  8. samboyellowsub

    samboyellowsub Member

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    Where do I get 1kg assayed ingots of it? ... poured style of course.
     
    samboyellowsub, May 21, 2011
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  9. Auagau

    Auagau Active Member

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    Lol just don't pick it up!
     
    Auagau, May 21, 2011
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  10. Dynoman

    Dynoman Active Member

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    Dynoman, May 21, 2011
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  11. goldpelican

    goldpelican Administrator Staff Member

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    Does it recrystallise on cooling? Or just set as a blob?
     
    goldpelican, May 21, 2011
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  12. Dynoman

    Dynoman Active Member

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    Blob GP - You would need to grow a crystal from the elemental stage instead of the molten.
     
    Dynoman, May 21, 2011
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  13. Comper100

    Comper100 Member

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    Hmm can only seem to get it from the Netherlands... would there be any import issues for say 10 grams?
     
    Comper100, May 21, 2011
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  14. millededge

    millededge Active Member

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    Gallium is a rare earth metal and is used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), much as iodinated agents, barium and gastrograffin are used in CAT scans.

    definitely worth stacking

    anyone know where to buy?

    I imagine China is a good start

    edit - I'm confusing gallium with gadolinium

    gallium is used in medical imaging, but in nuclear imaging (some say "unclear imaging" due to the fuzzy pictures) with a radioactive isotope as a tracer
     
    millededge, May 21, 2011
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  15. Dynoman

    Dynoman Active Member

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    Current market price is around $1 per gram.
     
    Dynoman, May 21, 2011
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  16. Comper100

    Comper100 Member

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    Guess what came in the post today? :)

    It's in some sort of gel, will have a play tonight!
     
    Comper100, Jun 1, 2011
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  17. rbaggio

    rbaggio Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Comper100, a video MUST be posted!
     
    rbaggio, Jun 1, 2011
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  18. Dynoman

    Dynoman Active Member

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    +1
     
    Dynoman, Jun 1, 2011
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  19. Comper100

    Comper100 Member

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    Yep gonna do a vid later and some pics.. I've figured the gel might be silicone to keep its shape should it melt in transport, also allows for expansion too when it solidifies. Cool!
     
    Comper100, Jun 1, 2011
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  20. Dynoman

    Dynoman Active Member

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    where did you buy it ?
     
    Dynoman, Jun 1, 2011
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