Gadolinium has unusual superconductive properties, and a distinctively high magnetic moment.
Gadolinium is paramagnetic and non toxic. Recent research by Bell Labs shows gadolinium oxide to be a promising material for forming insulating gates on gallium arsenide transitors. Such transistors would require less current, lengthening the battery life in many portable electronic devices such as cellular telephones. However, due to the low natural abundance of these two isotopes, Gd in control rods would have a rather fast burnout rate, limiting its use in such applications. Artificially produced 153 Gd is used in assaying loss of calcium from the hip and back bones.