ClimateAugust 6, 2026

gallium

GAL-ee-um

Definition

A chemical element (a soft, silvery metal) that is used in this article as a component in advanced, heat-resistant semiconductors for geothermal drilling sensors.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'Gallia', meaning France; it was named by its discoverer, Lecoq de Boisbaudran, in reference to his home country.

In the news

The article mentions gallium as part of the material composition for new, hardy sensors that allow developers to monitor deep-well conditions where standard silicon electronics would fail.

The Fast Lane: 3 Ways Geothermal Companies Can Get More Heat

Read the full article ↗

nlr.gov

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