Uses

Palladium has many uses.  Working with cold palladium increases its strength and hardness.  Palladium is used to make jewelry and surgical instruments.  It is used in some watch springs.  Palladium is also used to make electrical contacts.  Palladium even helps in purifying hydrogen gas.  It can be molded into wire or compounded into sheets.  Palladium is often mixed with gold to create a substance called white gold, often used in jewelry.  Divided palladium, called black palladium, is used as a catalyst, or a substance used to speed up chemical reactions.  This catalyst is used in a process known as hydrogenation, which improves the properties of oils and gasoline.  Automakers use palladium, along with platinum and rhodium, in catalytic converters, to help reduce pollutants created by cars. 

 Biological Role: