Vanadium is a chemical element with the symbol V and atomic number 23. It is a hard, silvery-gray metal that is primarily used in the production of steel and other alloys. Vanadium enhances the strength, toughness, and resistance to corrosion of these materials, making it valuable in construction and manufacturing. This element is found in nature mainly in the form of vanadinite and other minerals. It is also used in batteries, particularly in vanadium redox flow batteries, which are important for energy storage solutions. Vanadium plays a role in various industrial processes and is essential for certain biological functions in some organisms.