Samarium

Samarium, with the chemical symbol Sm and atomic number 62, was discovered in 1853 by Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac. It was isolated from the mineral samarskite, from which the element derives its name. Belonging to the lanthanide group, samarium is particularly noteworthy for its magnetic properties.

On Earth, samarium is present in various minerals such as monazite and bastnäsite, constituting approximately 0.0006% of the Earth's crust. It is a silvery-white metal that slowly forms an oxide layer when exposed to air.

Samarium is employed in various technologies, notably in samarium-cobalt magnets, suitable for high-temperature applications. These magnets are utilized in electric motors of hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as in aerospace applications. In the future, potential applications may emerge in nuclear energy and medicine. Samarium is used in some cancer treatments, and research efforts aim to optimize its use in radiation therapy further.