Scandium

Discovered by: Lars Fredrik Nilson and his team detected this element in the minerals euxenite and gadolinite in 1879.

What is it? It is a silvery-white metallic d-block element. Historically, it has been classified as a rare-earth element, together with yttrium and the lanthanides.

Why is it important? Mainly used in the strengthening of aluminium alloys.