hafnium

[ haf-nee-uhm, hahf- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a gray, toxic metallic element with a high melting point (over 2000°C), found in most zirconium minerals. : Hf; : 178.49; : 72; : 12.1.

hafnium

/ ˈhæfnɪəm /

noun

1. a bright metallic element found in zirconium ores: used in tungsten filaments and as a neutron absorber in nuclear reactors. Symbol: Hf; atomic no: 72; atomic wt: 178.49; valency: 4; relative density: 13.31; melting pt: 2231±20°C; boiling pt: 4603°C

hafnium

/ hăf′nē-əm /

1. A bright, silvery metallic element that occurs in zirconium ores. Because hafnium absorbs neutrons better than any other metal and is resistant to corrosion, it is used to control nuclear reactions. Atomic number 72; atomic weight 178.49; melting point 2,220°C; boiling point 5,400°C; specific gravity 13.3; valence 4.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of hafnium¹

1923; < New Latin Hafn ( ia ) Copenhagen + -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of hafnium¹

C20: New Latin, named after Hafnia, Latin name of Copenhagen + -ium

Example Sentences

The scientists also looked for different forms of oxygen and hafnium.

From Science News For Students

Researchers say that Hafnium, a state-sponsored hacking group based in China, started exploiting ProxyLogon in January, and within a few weeks, five other APTs—short for advanced persistent threat groups—followed suit.

From Ars Technica

Just days later, Microsoft publicly disclosed the hacks—the hackers are now known as Hafnium—and issued a security fix.

From MIT Technology Review

It’s possible that the original Hafnium group sold or shared their exploit code or that other hackers reverse-engineered the exploits based on the fixes that Microsoft released, Nickels explains.

From MIT Technology Review