Is there a material that is indispensable for industrial use and that becomes stronger rather than weaker when perforated? Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Science in Beijing have discovered that the answer is yes, and it is gold. This discovery is likely to be of great value not only for future developments in space travel, but also in the automotive industry and across all computer-based technologies, as it facilitates completely new applications for the precious metal. At the same time, cost efficiency of existing industrial applications could significantly improve, alongside a lower environmental impact.
Super-light and super-stable gold: an innovative approach
As reported in the journal ‘Science’ by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a new study by Chinese scientists proves that drilling tiny holes in pure gold creates pores that not only make the precious metal lighter, but surprisingly even stronger and more resistant. This refutes a centuries-old scientific belief that materials – including gold – become less stable when porous. The discovery is interesting for all industrial applications of gold. It is likely to effectively support future technologies and possibly enable further innovations, as reported by the website ‘Interesting Engineering’.
The new gold is far easier to recycle than e-waste
Another notable feature of the innovative gold treatment is the fact that it is actually pure gold. With no need for complex chemical or biological separation of the precious metal from other substances, as is common in urban mining of electronic waste, recycling is much easier. Above all, it is also more climate-friendly, with a lower environmental impact and lower carbon emissions.