Golden nanotechnology

Researchers from the Sandia National Laboratory mixed gold nanoparticles with basic chemistry. They have grown submicron crystals of gold.

The size of such crystals is several nanometers bigger compared to the similar ones created by scientists in other laboratories, making the application of the scientific method in the industrial production of measurement equipment possible.

Gold supercrystals respond to a given electromagnetic radiation, so that microscopic particles of any chemical element can be found easily and rather quickly. Therefore, the innovation is planned to be used in the search of hazardous substances, as well as in sensor chipsets for spectral analysis.

In the photo: Lead researcher Hongyou Fan of the Sandia National Laboratory analyzes the results of the nanoparticles experiment. It takes about 7 days to cultivate a highly sensitive golden crystal. 

“Smart” gold

Supercrystals are tiny: 100 nanometers, hence the mass production of sensitive sensors won’t require significant funding. Only 0,012 grams of gold worth 0,50 euro are needed to manufacture such a device.

“When it comes to senses, a dog's nose is ten thousand times more sensitive to odors compared to a human’s nose. Can you imagine? The same goes for our development: gold supercrystals can track the smallest particles of explosives, drugs or weapons in a matter of seconds,” the leading specialist of the Sandia National Laboratory comments.

Scientists continue to amaze us with gold-related discoveries, opening up greater prospects of gold.

Gold is reliable and durable.

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