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Silicon (chemical symbol Si) is the main elementary component of the earth’s crust after Oxygen. Si is universally acknowledged as the symbol for Silicon; it is actually a nonmetallic, tetravalent element with atomic number 14 and atomic mass being 28.086. It’s grey in color and brittle. It is commonly found in various compounds as part of nature and industry. In nature, it is found in flint, quartz, agate, common beach sand, jasper, sandstone and a lot of other common rocks. Industrially, it can be found in building materials like cement, glass, brick and others. It is a part of many polymers like silicon rubber. It has thousands of other uses as well as heat resisting resins, lubricants, water resistant films etc.
Silicon finds its way most commonly in electronic equipments. Solar panels have photovoltaic sheets made from thin silicon wafers. Electrical circuitry including computer chips; microprocessors, transistors all have silicon as a foundation. LCD televisions as well as computer screens are composed of thin strips of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (an alloy).
Construction materials
Silicon is used widely in building materials. Clay, brick, concrete, sand and cement have silicon dioxide as a component. Fine piece of glass is combined between two thick parts of silicon dioxide to produce the windshields of cars.
Automotive parts
The automotive industry uses silicon as a casting material. Aluminum silicon alloy is mixed with liquid iron to be casted in parts of car for a tougher body. This also reduces the production of iron carbide which is weak and brittle and can compromise the solidarity of car body parts.
Silicon uses
Silicon becomes a polymer mixture with oxygen and carbon and then lends a variety of uses to different applications as this mixture becomes malleable, flexible and water proof. These properties become very useful in making silicon a versatile material when used in wax, caulk, grease and even certain explosives requiring putty packaging. Cosmetic surgery saw its upgrading with silicon for implants injected into different body parts to make it attractive. The reason why silicone implants are preferred is that it becomes supple with a formed shape appearing natural under the skin.
Silicon benefits for the body
It’s amazing to know that silicon is important to make nervous cells and body tissues function properly. It synthesizes vitamin B1 and thiamine present in the human body. Nervous impulses are transmitted and bones are strengthened by body silicon. Not only internally but externally also silicon makes its presence felt through the growth of teeth, nails and hair – hence it’s known as the ‘beauty mineral’. Eye brightness and skin firmness are additional benefits. Healing processes and body immune system is guarded with body silicon thus preventing diseases like tuberculosis, mucous membrane irritation, and skin infections.
Food resources
If you have become totally attracted to silicon body benefits then go for apples, nuts, raw cabbage, carrots, red beets, celery, fish, honey, orange and corn in your diet throughout the year.
Toy products
All above mentioned uses seemed for grown up men and women to understand, but silicon is used for children’s toys as well. Silicon mixtures with small quantity of boric acid can be formed into different shapes and then cast into toys. Silly Putty, Gumby dolls, bouncing and stress balls all have silicon as their ingredient.
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