As a species, we’re already using titanium to develop technologies that can literally save our lives (such as pacemakers), but it could solve even bigger problems. For example, it may be instrumental in creating perpetual energy machines, cutting the use of fossil fuels – and even fixing some of the damage to the air that we’ve already done!

Titanium hasn’t been with us very long, having only been seriously used as a material for around 60 years. Today it’s fast becoming the preferred – and sometimes absolutely necessary – material for use in aircraft, spacecraft, medical devices, buildings, chemicals and more recently, jewelry. It is strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, non-toxic, hypoallergenic (i.e. it cannot irritate or react with the body), and has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal on earth.

Below is a quick rundown of some of the amazing properties of titanium.

Titanium Can Make Us Super-Human

In a world where humans are going beyond the natural and into the so-called “cyborg” realm, titanium is the material that is getting us there. No – this isn’t science-fiction. For example, bionic eyes are at the point where adequate sight can be restored to the blind, and prosthetic limbs can now replicate a fully functioning leg. Scientists predict that soon people with bionic implants will perform better than those without such “enhancements.” Already, titanium is used in pacemakers, prosthetic limbs, artificial blood-pumping valves, and more.

Why titanium? It is totally immune from the wide spectrum of pH levels in our body, and likewise, we can’t be affected by titanium. In fact, the idea to use titanium in artificial pacemakers solved the decades-long riddle of how to stop the body from rejecting internal medical devices.

Titanium Purifies and Protects

Titanium dioxide, a base form of titanium, has been used in our sunscreens for some time, as it naturally protects against harmful UV radiation. It is also used to coat windows on buildings for the same reason.

In an astonishing recent development, it has been discovered that titanium dioxide exhibits a purifying effect. Already, titanium dioxide is being used in commercial air purifiers as a sterilizer, disinfectant, germicide, deodorizer and antiseptic. It helps kill mold, viruses, mildew, spores, fungi, and irritants.

It Could Solve The World’s Energy Problems

The use of fossil fuels is damaging our planet; from global warming to the depletion of the earth’s resources. However, there may be solutions.

Titanium dioxide can perform something called hydrolysis, a process that can break water into hydrogen and oxygen. Developers of hydrogen-based perpetual energy solutions are currently experimenting with ways to collect the hydrogen in this process to fuel everything from cars to power plants – using nothing but water.

Titanium dioxide can also create its own electricity under the correct conditions. Already, developers from Nokia claim they have successfully built a monochrome mobile phone screen that is completely energy self-sufficient.

Titanium Can Grow Its Own Protective Layer

When exposed to higher temperatures, titanium will actually “grow” a protective layer which increases its corrosion resistance. This layer can slowly continue to grow over years, increasing in width and providing even more corrosion resistance. This incredible property doesn’t seem to have any downside either, such as tarnishing or discoloration of the metal.

Titanium is Beautiful, Too

Aside from having miraculous physical and chemical properties, titanium is also an eye-pleasing material. In its titanium oxide powdered form, it has a higher optical dispersion (i.e. shows more colors) than diamond, and is applied on gems to make them appear more brilliant. In its pure or alloyed hardened form, it emanates a spectacular silver color that an increasing number of people are preferring over traditional materials, such as gold or silver – particularly for wedding rings and promise rings.

As a jewelry material, it also has many practical benefits: it is lightweight, scratch-resistant, corrosion-resistant (to chlorine, sea salt, water, acid, and so on), and will last for generations.