The Unlikely Buddha

Geologists in China have unearthed a new type of ore that’s rich in niobium, a much-prized metal with superconductive properties that is used in everything from steel production to jet engines and particle accelerators.  Dubbed niobobaotite, the ore was recently discovered within the Bayan Obo Mining District of Inner Mongolia in China, according to an announcement from the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). They explained that the ore is rich in barium, titanium, iron, chlorine, and – most excitingly – niobium.  Uses Niobium is a type II superconductor, which means that it can carry very high currents and withstand strong magnetic fields without losing its superconductivity. This makes it ideal for a wide range of applications, including: Superconducting magnets: Niobium is used to make superconducting magnets for a variety of applications, including MRI machines, particle accelerators, and nuclear fusion reactors. Superconducting magnets are much more powerful and ef...