unremarkably , when we think of excavation for cherished metallic element , we imagine   darkness , hamper caves or holes in the ground which are a mo of an eyesore . However , scientists have found a completely refreshing way of mine the precious semi - metal atomic number 32 ( usually used in estimator ) and it ’s not how you ’d expect . alternatively of exit underground , they have find out how to mine germanium from lush , green plants .

Reutersreports that scientist from Freiburg University of Mining and Technology can extract the element from certain plants . These include sunflowers , reed canary-yellow grass and Indian corn . This mining technique has been used in the past to gather gold and copper . However , suppliers of germanium very seldom get green fingers while on the job , so this advance is extremely strange .

" In German we call it mine with plants , "   ProfessorHermann Heilmeier , who work on this labor , toldReuters . They reap the plants , which naturally take over   germanium from the soil through their roots . They   are then   work on and ferment so the scientist can collect biogas first ( which efficiently covers most of the toll ) , then extract   the germanium .

There is a demand for atomic number 32 since it is   an   essential element for innovative life story . A silicon - germanium alloy   is widely used   in the electric components of   smartphones and   computers since it can   transport electrical charge very quickly .

Currently , most of our germanium is a by - Cartesian product from   Zn ore ( sphalerite ) mining   or sting coal . Germanium is naturally occur in the soil , but very hard to access .   However , industrial plant soak it up of course and harvesting them is a much easier and long - term solution for the environment than get the picture mines .   At the moment , harvesting the Ge from plant matter is   a low-pitched - yield unconscious process , but the researcher are working on increasing their germanium harvest .

And who knows , maybe your bright telephone set will one day be infuse with a little piece of " gullible "   technology .