A silvery white metal,
a rare earth in total.
Six parts per million,
not that much Gadolinium.

Still four hundred tons a year,
might not as that little appear.
A complex seperation process,
to gain to the pure meteal access.

Marignac identified in an oxide,
that an unknown element did hide,
Over fifty years later the metal isolated,
through electrolysis separeted.

The Swiss chemist Trombe achieved that,
but Gadolinium as name was already set,
to honor the Finnish chemist Gadolin,
and for sure a great man he has been.

It is the only element named after a person
until the artificial row of trans-uran marathon.
Not only the name but some properties,
and with that some specialties.

It is ferromagnetic until twenty degree,
next to Iron, Cobalt and Nickel a novelty,
Not too strong ideal as contrast agent,
for MRT examination significant,

With a high Curie temperature,
it is considered as material for the future,
for magnetic refrigeration techniques,
an energy efficient alternative to seek,

It is used as neutron shielding in the CANDU reactor,
as a second security melt down neutron absorbing protector.
Some other special case application,
and not to forget the L.A.S.E.R variation.

Gadolinium is a little extravagant,
but still significant,
a companion for the energy transition,
at least a candidate for that mission.