germanium 1997 32 1 g ermanium by robert d brown jr is a grayish white metallic element with electrical characteristics between those of metal and an insulator making it semiconductor commercially available as tetrachloride high purity oxide in the form zone refined ingots single crystal bars castings doped semiconductors optical materials blanks other specialty products used principally fiber optics infrared polymerization catalysts its excellent mechanical properties well moderate cost availability large sizes make attractive many aerospace applications domestic industry consisted two zinc mining operations alaska tennessee which supplied byproduct concentrates to export market three refineries new york oklahoma pennsylvania processed manufacturer s scrap imported semirefined small amount old postconsumer do mestic refinery production amounted slightly less than one third world was estimated be valued at about 30 million consumption for are us geological survey usgs on basis
