Musk's neural implant would likely be "unthinkable" without indium
Imagine you want to move your mouse cursor over this text with a mental command and highlight the word “indium” everywhere in it. Something like this is already possible today. For the first time, a neural implant was inserted into a human a few days ago, allowing computers, mobile phones, and robotic prostheses to be controlled with thoughts. People with paraplegia, ALS, or diseases such as Parkinson’s could participate more in life again thanks to the implant from the company Neuralink. Electrodes with indium provide excellent results for the connection between the brain and the chip required for this.
Indium tin oxide connects perfectly with neurons
For many years, universities in various countries have been researching the brain as a human-computer interface. In doing so, they have been experimenting with electrodes made of indium tin oxide (ITO), which, due to their superior conductivity, can be very effectively linked with the neurons of a brain. The material is also biocompatible, which plays a central role for implants such as the one from Neuralink, as these are intended to remain in the body for up to 10 years. However, other technology metals are also used in such implants: gallium is a metal that is very well tolerated by the body and, as a component of electrodes, can reduce the occurrence of inflammation. And rhenium, an extremely hard and heat-resistant technology metal, increases the efficiency of the robot that inserts the Neuralink implant as part of a rhenium-tungsten alloy.
High-tech industry relies on indium
Indium is a special metal primarily because it constantly receives new impulses from materials research. The latest and most promising areas of application, such as neural implants, quantum computers (as we reported), and top-notch photodiodes, use high-purity indium. Additionally, it is a component of semiconductors and central to the production of high-quality solar panels. All of this is almost certain to ensure that demand for indium will increase in the coming years.
Sensitive price reaction following the introduction of export controls
It is interesting to note that after China’s announcement that the export of gallium and germanium would be subject to licensing as of August 1, 2023, not only did the price of these two technology metals rise sharply, but also that of indium. This soft heavy metal is extremely important for the most advanced growth markets, and its price sometimes reacts very sensitively to changes or potential bottlenecks. This can create opportunities for investors.