Ruthenium is widely used in the electronics industry, particularly in the production of thick-film resistors found in integrated circuits and printed circuit boards. Its excellent electrical conductivity and resistance to high-temperature oxidation make it ideal for chip resistors and semiconductor devices.

It serves as a key component in advanced microelectronics, including dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and other memory technologies, where it is used in capacitor electrodes due to its stability and performance at nanoscale dimensions.

In catalysis, ruthenium plays a vital role in industrial chemical processes. It is used as a catalyst in the synthesis of ammonia and in the production of acetic acid via carbonylation processes, offering higher efficiency and lower environmental impact compared to traditional methods.

Ruthenium compounds are also employed in solar energy technologies, especially in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), where they act as light-absorbing dyes that convert sunlight into electricity efficiently and cost-effectively.

Additionally, ruthenium is used in wear-resistant electrical contacts and in alloys to enhance hardness and corrosion resistance, especially in applications requiring durability, such as in aerospace and medical devices. Its use in cancer research is being explored due to the potential antitumor properties of certain ruthenium-based compounds.