introduction, discovery , physical and chemical properties , extensive uses, dangers.

8. Scientific Applications -
An alloy of 90 % platinum and 10 % iridium
was used in 1889 to construct the International
Prototype Meter & Kilogram mass kept by the
International Bureau of weights and measures.
Iridium is used in Radioisotope
Thermoelectric generators of unmanned
spacecrafts such as Voyager, Viking, Pioneer. it
was chosen to encapsulate the plutonium-238
fuel in the generator because it can withstand
the operating temperature of upto 2000’C.
it is used for production of antiprotons, a
form of antimatter.
Historical Uses -
Ir-Os alloy was used to tip fountain pen nibs.
Ir-Pt alloy was used for touch holes or vent pieces
of cannon.
The pigment, Ir-black is used for painting porcelain
an intense black.

9. Industrial & Medical Applications -

10. CU- IR LEBBO COINS
Light Emitting Bionic Bi-polar Orbs,
(commonly known as Lebbo coins) were made
from an alloy of metals found in a meteorite in
1616. Although it is world famous for the
unusual phenomena it exhibits, much of the
controversy and rumours surrounding it are
untrue.
FACT –
An active coin emits a radiation which
interferes with AC/DC power sources.
Therefore, it drains the power from a dry cell & weakens a bulb
exposed to it. A lebbo immersed in cold water exhibits silvery white
bubbles on both surfaces and a significant rise in the water’s
temperature is noted. If you take a coin near your
TV screen, its program reception is disrupted, causing static-like
sounds, diffusion of images across the screen.
Only 16 of these were made, and metallurgists have been able
to identify Ikkidium, Virenium, copper and Iridium. They are
also known as Navagraha coins, as the sun, moon and
planets are engraved on it.

11. Precautions -
Iridium in bulk metallic form is not
biologically hazardous to health due
to its lack of reactivity with tissues.
However, finely divided Iridium
powder can be dangerous to
handle, as it is an irritant and may
even ignite in air.
External exposure to radioisotopes
can cause burns, radiation
poisoning and even cause death.
Ingestion of Ir-192 can burn the
linings of the stomach and intestine.
There have been several incidents
where carelessness of workers, or
ignorance of people has caused
widespread damage to the
environment and resulted in loss of
lives due to mishandling of
radioactive isotopes of this element.

12. By-
Smrutirekha Sahu
Samikshya Sucharita
Shamaela Mahwash