Space rocks and asteroid dust are pricey, but these aren't the most expensive materials used in science.
Space rocks and asteroid dust are certainly pricey, but they aren't the most expensive materials used in science. That distinction belongs to endohedral fullerenes.
Endohedral fullerenes are spherical carbon cages that contain a single atom of another element inside. They are extremely rare and difficult to produce, and because of that, they are very expensive. In fact, one gram of endohedral fullerenes can cost up to $141 million.
Endohedral fullerenes have a number of potential applications in science and technology. For example, they could be used to create atomic clocks that are much more accurate than existing clocks. They could also be used to develop new types of catalysts and solar cells.
Here are some other expensive materials that are used in science:
- Polonium-209: This radioactive element is extremely rare and difficult to produce. It is used in research on nuclear fusion and other advanced technologies. Polonium-209 costs around $49 billion per gram.
- Californium-252: This radioactive element is also extremely rare and difficult to produce. It is used in cancer treatment and other medical applications. Californium-252 costs around $27 million per gram.
- Diamonds: Diamonds are not just expensive gemstones. They are also used in a variety of scientific applications, such as lasers, cutting tools, and semiconductors. High-quality diamonds can cost thousands of dollars per carat.
- Plutonium: Plutonium is a radioactive element that is used in nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors. It is also used in some scientific research applications. Plutonium costs around $4,000 per gram.
These are just a few of the most expensive materials used in science. There are many other expensive materials that are used in a variety of scientific research and development projects.
It is important to note that the cost of these materials can vary depending on the purity and quantity required. For example, a small sample of endohedral fullerenes for research purposes may be much cheaper than a gram of the material for commercial use.