I have decided to research this compound: Germanium and

focus on its use in this product/material:

Use and In Semiconductors and some lenses and fiber-optics . I chose
this because
Improper disposal of electronics is damaging to the environment and it
should stop soon.

What is the material?

Germanium (chemical symbol Ge, atomic number 32) is a lustrous, hard, grayish-
white chemical element.
“Germaniym metalloid, intermediate in properties between the metals and the nonmetals.”

“Germanium is obtained commercially from the smelter dust of zinc ore processing and
the combustion byproducts of certain coals. A large reserve of this element is found in coal
sources.”

“In its pure state, germanium is crystalline and brittle, and it retains its luster in air at room
temperature. In terms of its atomic arrangement, it has the same crystal structure
as diamond.

Describe the compound that makes up the material on the molecular level,
describing how its properties suit its function.

Germanium is a semiconductor, with electrical properties between those of a metal and an

insulator. Unlike most semiconductors, it has a narrow band gap, allowing it to respond
efficiently to infrared light. Zone refining techniques have enabled the production of
extremely pure, crystalline germanium for semiconductors”

How is it made?
https://www.britannica.com/science/germanium
“Cosmically, germanium is believed to be one of the many elements formed by neutron
absorption after the initial processes of hydrogen and helium burning and alpha-particle
absorption.”
What is its purpose?
 “Germanium can be divided into inorganic and organic forms. Inorganic
germanium is mined and widely used as a semiconductor in the electronics
industry, whereas organic germanium is usually chemically synthesized or
extracted from medicinal plants that contain high concentrations of germanium”
https://www.britannica.com/science/germanium
“Germanium is a metallic element with high conductivity and thermal conductivity,
which makes it an important component in the semiconductor industry. Germanium
wafers are thin, circular slices of pure germanium that serve as the foundation for
many electronic devices. Because of their ability to improve the performance of
semiconductors and other electronic components, these wafers are in high demand. ”

https://www.waferworld.com/post/importance-of-germanium-in-the-world-today

How has the discovery of this material affected the progress of the
advancement of human society?

List all of the things that currently use semi-conductors and what you think
they mean for society

What natural resources have been consumed during the production of the material?
It is considered scarce, not rare.

Consider the cost of using up the natural resources needed to produce the material
you choose versus the benefits to society:
It turns out that the disposal of germanium creates a toxic environment and may
not be worth it.
Summarize and quote the 2 articles about disposal and the harm on the human
body

Based on your research, make a claim about the material, like whether it is
worth the money spent and resources lost ,(Your thesis, essentially) or whether
the compound used to make it is well-suited for that material’s purpose. Be sure
to present specific evidence.

Cite your sources properly- Bibliography just needs formatting