  We investigate current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the ferroelectric
material colemanite at room temperature, at a high temperature, and also under
the influence of near ultraviolet light. We demonstrate that all three I-V
plots exhibit hysteresis effects, and these new results shed new light on the
resistance of colemanite. These novel properties are explained on the basis of
its microstructure indicating potential applications in devices with negative
resistance as well as in photovoltaic devices.
