In a momentous development poised to reshape the landscape of India's electronics and semiconductor industry, a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar in Punjab has uncovered the presence of the rare metal Tantalum in the Sutlej River.

Led by Dr Reshmi Sebastian, an assistant professor in the Civil Engineering Department at IIT-Ropar, the discovery holds significance not only for the state of Punjab but also for the nation, given Tantalum's extensive applications in electronics and semiconductors.

The breakthrough, made during experiments characterising Sutlej river sand, could position India as a global hub for semiconductor and chip manufacturing, aligning with the vision outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While originally engaged in a separate project focusing on the dynamic properties of soil, rocks, and earthquake characteristics along the river, the research team stumbled upon Tantalum. Dr Sebastian explained, "One of my research students found the presence of Tantalum while conducting experiments on the characterisation of the Sutlej river sand," as reported by Indian Express.

According to a report from Sputnik India, the team's unrelated project involved studying the river's soil and rock dynamics, emphasising earthquake-related characteristics.

Abhijeet Kaplish, Director of the Punjab Mining and Geology Department, expressed the state government's curiosity about the quantity of the rare metal in the Sutlej. He stated, "The discovery of tantalum in Sutlej is not only significant for Punjab but also for India, given its value in terms of its use in electronics and semiconductors. We are curious to know the quantum of the metal in the river. Detailed studies are likely to shed more light on that," according to the Indian Express.

Following the discovery, the IIT-Ropar research team has submitted a proposal to the Punjab government, seeking permission to collect Sutlej River samples from at least 125 locations to identify rare components.

About Tantalum:

Tantalum is a rare, heavy, and hard metal with a distinctive grey colour, renowned for its exceptional corrosion resistance. When exposed to air, it forms a tenacious oxide layer that is challenging to remove, even in the presence of strong and hot acidic environments. In its pure form, Tantalum is malleable, allowing it to be stretched, pulled, and drawn into thin wires without breaking. With an exceptionally high melting point, it was first discovered in 1802 by Swedish scientist Anders Gustaf Ekenberg in minerals obtained from Ytterby, Sweden.

Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac later confirmed in 1866 that Tantalum and Niobium are distinct elements. Interestingly, Tantalum is named after the Greek mythological figure Tantalus, renowned for his wealth.

Usage of Tantalum:

Widely utilised in the electronics and semiconductor industry, Tantalum's unique characteristics make it particularly valuable. Capacitors made of Tantalum can store more electricity with minimal leakage compared to other types, making the metal ideal for use in portable devices such as smartphones, laptops, and cameras.

Additionally, Tantalum serves as an economical alternative to platinum in jewellery and vehicle converters. It finds prominent applications in the defence sector, being used in chemical plants, nuclear power plants, missiles, and fighter jets. The discovery of Tantalum in the Sutlej River presents a potential game-changer for India's technological and industrial landscape.

Source: CNBCTV