Gadolinium - plays a key role in MRI scans

Gadolinium has interesting magnetic properties and is used as a contrast agent in MRI scans, according to AUT's Prof Allan Blackman in ep 30 of Elemental.

Gadolinium is named after the Finnish chemist Johannes Gadolin, who unfortunately didn't live to see the honour.

Gadolinium (atomic number 64, symbol Gd) is a lanthanoid and as is the case with that group of elements, it was difficult to isolate.

It has interesting magnetic properties and is used as a contrast agent in MRI scans, according to AUT's Prof Allan Blackman.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details