150-Year-Old Mystery of Gallium Metal Finally Solved

June 9, Kathmandu – Scientists have solved a 150-year-old mystery surrounding the metal gallium. Researchers at the University of Auckland have uncovered new insights into the molecular structure and behavior of gallium.

This metal was discovered in 1875 by French chemist Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran. Gallium is well-known for its unique melting point and holds significant importance as a semiconductor in various modern electronic technologies.

Gallium atoms naturally bond together forming dimers, creating covalent bonds. Previously, scientists believed that these bonds disappeared when gallium melted. However, the new study reveals that while these bonds vanish at the melting point, they reappear when heated to higher temperatures.

This discovery provides a new explanation for why gallium melts at such a low temperature. Professor Nicola Gaston of the University of Auckland explained that the long-standing understanding of liquid gallium’s structure over the past 30 years has been proven incorrect.

The study was conducted by Dr. Stef Lambi, Professor Nicola Gaston, and Dr. Krista Steinbergen. Lambi discovered this fact after reviewing decades of research and measurements taken at various temperatures. The research findings were published in the journal ‘Materials Horizons.’ The newly unveiled behavior of gallium promises to benefit the fields of nanotechnology and liquid metal catalysts.

Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev predicted this metal back in 1871 when he created the periodic table. Gallium is extracted from minerals such as bauxite and today is used in semiconductors, telecommunications equipment, LEDs, laser diodes, solar panels, and thermometers.

Scientists are also conducting research on how gallium could aid in identifying signs of ancient life on Mars.