Lionel Roemer, age 16, of Akron, Ohion, for his question:

WHERE DO WE GET INDIUM?

Indium is a chemical element. It is a rare, silver white metal that does not occur by itself. Most indium is found in, and extracted from Indium is used to coat the bearings of high speed engines. Oil spreads over the indium in an even layer and makes bearings run smoothly.

Indium increases the flow of electricity through the element germanium. Traces of indium are added to germanium to make transistors used in pocket radios and in other electronic devices.

Indium was discovered in 1863 by two German scientists: Ferdinand Reich and Hieronymus Theodor Richter.

Indium melts at 156.61 degrees Celsius and it boils at 2000 degrees Celsius.

The symbol for indium is "In." Its atomic number is 49 and its atomic weight is 114.82. The specific gravity of indium is 7.3.