Origin : The name is derived from 'Germania', the Latin name for Germany .
Description :
A silvery semi-metal element used in semi-conductors and speciality glass for infrared devices. Germanium ores are very rare, and the element is recovered as a by-product of zinc and copper refining. Our daily diet may contain as much as 1 milligram, but theories that germanium is important to our health have been discredited.
Image :
Early transistor. Click here to see larger version of this image.
