Get to Know a Nevada Mineral: Vanadium

Nevada produces over 20 different minerals essential to our daily life. The state is also home to a wide-range of minerals that while not currently produced in high volumes, are rising in demand as new and developing technologies emerge. Here are 5 things you may not know one of those minerals: vanadium.

Complicated Discovery

Vanadium was discovered in 1801 by Spanish scientist Andres Manuel del Rio. However, the institute he submitted his research to disputed the discovery, resulting in del Rio withdrawing his claim. Swedish chemist Nils Gabriel Stef rediscovered vanadium in 1830, and Sir Henry Enfield Roscoe became the first person to isolate the element in 1867.

Rise to Fame

Vanadium played a critical role in the production of the Model T car. While designing the vehicle that would revolutionize human transportation, Henry Ford was introduced to vanadium steel. When added, vanadium provided steel with additional strength without increasing weight. It was also cheaper in price compared to lower quality steels, helping keep costs down.

Super Steel

Vanadium’s main usage today continues to be as an additive in steel alloys. Tall buildings, like the casinos along the Las Vegas Strip, use vanadium to help support building foundations and provide heat resistance.

Powering the Future

Vanadium may develop into a critical part of our energy future. Researchers are studying vanadium flow batteries, which are rechargeable and can go decades without suffering from degrading battery life. They’re too large to use in items like cell phones and computers, but vanadium batters could some day be used to help power homes and buildings.

In Nevada…

Vanadium isn’t currently being mined in Nevada, but the state is home to a number of deposits. With demand likely to increase in the coming decades, several claims have been established across the state.