rhenium
Rhenium is a rare, silvery-white metal with the chemical symbol Re and atomic number 75. It is one of the heaviest stable elements and is known for its high melting point and excellent resistance to wear and corrosion. Rhenium is primarily used in high-temperature superalloys, which are essential for jet engines and other aerospace applications.
Discovered in 1925 by Walter Noddack, Ida Tacke, and Otto Berg, rhenium is found in trace amounts in minerals such as molybdenite. Its unique properties make it valuable in the production of catalysts for the petroleum industry, helping to improve the efficiency of fuel production.