With Mother's Day right around the corner, you may be thinking about picking up some gold in the form of jewelry. But one research team actually produced a new form of gold that may change the process of metal production and have far-reaching implications for manufacturers and engineers.
Watch the video below, courtesy of Industrial Equipment News, to learn more about the new material and what it could mean.
Gold Shines In Many Industrial Applications
Gold is one of the most efficient metals for electrical conduction. As a result, many components used in portable devices, such as circuit boards, wiring and other materials, are comprised of the material. In fact, Apple recently reported that it recovered more than 2,000 pounds of gold through its recycling program, which equates to $40 million.
The aerospace industry also makes heavy use of gold. The metal is used to coat parts due to its ability to conduct electricity and act as a shield against heat and radiation.
The Benefits Of Black Gold
Seeking to take advantage of the properties of gold while curbing the costs, a research team developed a way to fabricate an ultralight, high-density, nanoporous form of the metal, which they dubbed Black Gold.
The research team used a ball milling technique produce the material, a technique that may very well be applied to other materials in order to improve their strength and durability without sacrificing aesthetics.