Elements - Vanadium (V)

Vanadium (V)

Download Vanadium (V)

Traditionally used as a magic ingredient to produce tougher, more wear-resistant steels, vanadium has discovered a surprising new calling in life. Could this neglected metal, and the gigantic batteries it produces, provide the perfect counterpart for temperamental wind and solar energy sources? And could a future source of the mineral be harvested from the bottom of the sea?

(Picture: Chrome vanadium adjustable spanners and bolts; Credit: runrobirun/Thinkstock)

Published on Monday, 28th July 2014.

Available Podcasts from Elements

Subscribe to Elements

We are not the BBC, we only list available podcasts. To find out more about the programme including episodes available on BBC iPlayer, go to the Elements webpage.