Niobium (Nb) Fun Facts
"The Superconductor, a hero who gains amazing powers at low temperatures, creating powerful magnetic fields."
The true essence of Niobium (Nb) on the molecular frontier.
Niobium is a soft, grey, ductile metal.
Niobium is found in the superconducting magnets in an MRI machine.
Niobium appears as �Columbium� in Avatar � a nod to its old name.
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Did You Know?
It was originally named 'columbium' (Cb) after Columbia (a historical name for the Americas) where the first mineral containing it was found. It was officially renamed niobium in 1949.
It is named after Niobe, a figure from Greek mythology and the daughter of Tantalus, because the element is so chemically similar to tantalum.
Niobium becomes a superconductor at very low temperatures and is used to make powerful superconducting magnets for MRI scanners and particle accelerators.
Adding a small amount of niobium to steel dramatically increases its strength, making it crucial for high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steel used in pipelines and car parts.
Some hypoallergenic jewelry is made from niobium because it is physiologically inert.