Elements of San Tomas

The efforts of a team of scientists working in various countries, over almost a century, gave us the periodic table as we know it today. Their ability to innovate, see connections where others had missed them, and bring forth a new model that would change not only science but the world at large is our inspiration for Crossover San Tomas (Santa Clara, CA). Like the periodic table, we, too, are organized in a way that develops relationships; like those pioneering scientists, we, too, work in teams to predict behaviors and discover new insights about all the “elements” of great care. And like the ongoing pursuit to discover new elements, we, too, will continue to evolve, grow, and expand our care model to deliver you health as it should be.

Bismuth
BISMUTH
With a low melting point, bismuth is able to easily form alloys that can be used to make a variety of products. Discovered in 1753, bismuth is one of only a few metals that expands when frozen and whose liquid state has a higher density than its solid state. This metal can be found in cosmetics, medicine, and fire extinguishers. It’s best known as the main ingredient in medications for upset stomachs, such as Pepto-Bismol. Bismuth’s unusually low toxicity for a heavy metal makes it a useful lead replacement.
Carbon
CARBON
Carbon exists as a key element in all living organisms. Pure carbon can be found in nature in the form of diamonds, graphite, and charcoal. Carbon black was the first pigment used for tattooing, and other carbon compounds have limitless uses. The carbon cycle is a natural sequence that involves plants converting carbon dioxide to carbohydrates by photosynthesis and then animals and humans consuming the carbohydrates which are then returned to the atmosphere.
Cobalt
COBALT
You may be surprised to know that cobalt can be found in your body. This element is part of the essential nutrient B12, which is used in your body’s production of DNA and red blood cells. First isolated in 1735, the strong magnetic properties of cobalt make it an essential element in modern technology. Cobalt is used in generators, hard drives, and even jet engines. In healthcare, cobalt is widely used in cancer treatments. The stable form of cobalt is produced by a supernova and free cobalt is not found natively on earth.
Copper
COPPER
Humanity first discovered copper over 10,000 years ago. With a unique red hue, copper is one of the only non-silvery metals on the periodic table and one of just a few metals that can be found in pure form in nature. As an essential element for human nutrition, copper is critical for blood cell formation. It is also a trace dietary mineral considered essential for proper liver, muscle, and bone function.
Gold
GOLD
Gold is the only metal that is yellow or “golden,” and has been used by humans since ancient times. Nearly all of the gold on Earth comes from meteorites that collided with the planet millions of years ago. As the most malleable element, a single ounce of gold can be stretched into a thread five miles long. Today, it’s used for jewelry, wedding rings, Olympic medals, many forms of currency, electronics, and art. In healthcare, gold is used in medicines to treat rheumatoid arthritis, as well as in dentistry.
Hydrogen
HYDROGEN
The most abundant element in the universe, essential for life, and found in water, hydrogen is believed to be one of the three elements created during the Big Bang. Most of the energy on Earth comes from hydrogen. In the human body, hydrogen allows toxins and waste to be transported and eliminated and helps joints remain lubricated and able to function. More broadly, given its abundance, elemental hydrogen is often considered as as high-potential, future source of energy.
Iodine
IODINE
A small amount of iodine is essential for your nutritional health, while too much is toxic. Discovered in 1811, the name comes from the Greek word iodes, meaning violet, because iodine vapor has a purple hue. Used extensively in healthcare, iodine is a component in treatments for thyroid disease and can be found in radiation medicine. Your thyroid also requires iodine to make specific hormones used to regulate your body. This element can be found in seafood, kelp, and plants grown in iodine-rich soil.
Lithium
LITHIUM
Discovered in 1817, lithium is the lightest metal on Earth. This soft, alkaline element can be cut with a knife and even floats in water. Along with hydrogen and helium, it was one of the three elements produced in large quantities by the Big Bang. Because lithium is very reactive, it is highly flammable. Lithium fires are difficult to extinguish due to the element’s reactivity with water, so a powder extinguisher is needed. Today, lithium is used in batteries, to purify the air in spacecraft and submarines, and even as an antidepressant.
Neon
NEON
Even though rarely found on Earth, neon is the fifth most abundant element in the universe. Created when helium and oxygen fuse together in stars, this element glows when excited by an electrical current. Famously used in signs and marquees, neon is also found in traffic lights, lasers, and diving equipment. In 1920, the first neon sign was revealed at an exhibition in Paris. Neon is used in medicine to help diagnose and treat conditions. About 70% of the global neon supply is produced in Ukraine as a byproduct of steel production.
Nitrogen
NITROGEN
In 1772, a scientist isolated nitrogen by removing oxygen and carbon dioxide from the air. This element is essential to life on Earth and makes up most of the air we breathe. All living organisms contain this element—the human body is 3% nitrogen by weight. Estimated to be one of the most abundant elements in the universe, nitrogen is found in foods, fertilizers, poisons, and explosives. Liquid nitrogen is also used to rapidly freeze foods and help preserve their flavor.
Silver
SILVER
Out of all the elements, silver is the best conductor of heat and the best reflector of visible light. First mined in Anatolia around 3,000 BCE, silver has been used as a form of currency throughout the world. It even has healing properties—silver nanoparticles possess a wide range of antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that are sometimes woven into clothes to kill the bacteria known to cause undesirable odors. Its antiseptic properties result from the biologically active silver ion irreversibly damaging cell membranes.
Sulfur
SULFUR
Essential for life, sulfur is the tenth most abundant element in the universe and has been known to humanity since ancient times. It primarily comes from meteorites, volcanoes, and hot springs. While most elements occur only in compounds, sulfur is one of the few that can be found in nature in pure form. Sulfur compounds are why garlic has a distinct smell, onions cause tears, and rotten eggs stink. Ironically, even though sulfur compounds have a strong smell, pure sulfur is odorless.
Thulium
THULIUM
One of the most rare metals on Earth, thulium is soft, malleable, and has a silvery appearance. Discovered in 1879, this metal takes its name from Thule, the northernmost part of the world in ancient Greek and Roman literature. It is stable in air, reacts slowly in water, and dissolves quickly in acids. Due to scarce supply and the resulting expense, thulium is not widely used but can be found in healthcare as the source of radiation for portable x-ray equipment and certain laser applications.
Tungsten
TUNGSTEN
With the highest melting point of all the metals, tungsten is extremely resistant to heat and wear. Discovered in 1783 by two brothers, this pure element may be extruded, cut, forged, and spun, but any impurities make tungsten brittle and difficult to work with. Most of the world’s supply of this element is found in China, and other deposits are known in the US, South Korea, Russia, Bolivia, and Portugal. Today, tungsten is used in steels, fluorescent lighting, lubricants, televisions, and paints.
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