Cellphones are probably the most symbolic case of the chemistry complexity (and its stellar origin) in our
society: to construct one of them, in fact,
more than 50 different chemical elements are needed (as shown in Figure 12).
It's amazing to realize that a single cellphone requires the presence of chemical elements synthesized
in each of the stellar classes previously described.
As a matter of fact, NSMs produced elements essential
for the
touchscreen (indium and tin, which help to conduct
electricity), for the implementation of display colors (europium and
gadolinium), for the proper functioning of batteries
(dysprosium, erbium,
ytterbium and thulium),
for the circuit-board (silver and platinum)
and, finally, for the construction of connector and wires
(gold and tantalum).
AGB stars are equally important, considering their contribute to the circuitboard
(strontium, barium and
lead), as well as to some display colors
(lanthanum and praseodymium),
without forgetting the neodymium of the vibration unit.
Finally, there are the elements coming from Supernovae, without which we could not construct the case
(magnesium, titanium and
chromium), wires (copper)
as well as all components containing iron.
Therefore, we can safely conclude that we are not just biological SONS OF THE STARS,
but without them we could neither do trivial things in our daily life, as using a computer,
switching on a TV or doing a simple phone call!
If you have questions and/or curiosities don't hesitate to contact me
at: sergio.cristallo@inaf.it
A particular word of thanks to professor Sebastiano (for the critic revision of the contents done from above
...or from below...his 10 years) and to my estimated colleague Luciano.
I would like to also thank Egizia, for her marvelous drawings, and my two babies
Sabrina and
Sarastella, for the moral support!