If Bismuth is freshly produced
one might get probably confused
Another silvery white metal,
but so not like them all.

It is known since ancient times,
as pigment and brilliant shines.
It has least conductivity,
and is brittle in mechanical property.

It was often mistaken with lead or tin,
it is of the heavy metal kin.
In air it is getting a brownish rust,
sometimes after it is cast.

If oxidized properly,
natural beauty is set free.
Bismuth becomes a metal unicorn,
a step pyramid artwork will be born.

It is a wonderful decoration,
unique through its random creation.
But Bismuth is not just a beauty,
it has some real duty.

Back in the days,
and still nowadays.
It is used in medicine,
when your excrements get thin.

In treatment for diarrhea and flatulence,
eye infection Bismuth shines with presence.
It is part of pigments and cosmetics,
if you desire iridescent optics.

In transistors it comes up with a power,
2-D semiconductors are unique at this hour.
On the surface Bismuth has a high conductivity,
but internally it has high resistivity.

The challenge isthe same for heat,
solved from Tellur, as Bismuthtellurid.
With Selen and Oxygen,
it shows best it can.

A so called field-effect transistor,
in speed and efficiency even more.
Conducted with molybdenumdisulfide,
it even sets the Shotcky barrier aside.

In bronze age times from the Inkas used,
bismuth bronze knives have been produced.
Far less toxic, but still heavy enough,
a lead replacement for ballistics and stuff.

Bismuth tungstate is tested for Hydrogen generation,
Bismuth molybdate for polyethylene oxidation.
And a lot more for possible future applications,
Bismuth in adventurous combinations.

Bismuth, the rainbow metal unicorn,
from hot air born.
A medieval medicine, still applied,
even tough, tested and varied.

A very confused conductivity,
doing it the other way than ordinary.
A metal with not so metallic property,
with a good sense for aesthetics and beauty.

This is poem 200 on this blog – Thank you for reading!