Leap in Technology with Gold

Gold is growing in importance in our daily lives, from innovative electronic uses to treating serious diseases.  The following are some of the newest applications and developments for gold identified by the World Gold Council.

• New uses in the electronics industry - Many innovative uses of gold in electronic devices are emerging in our daily lives.  For example, gold plating and bonding wires are being used in the rapidly expanding smart-card market.  Gold is also increasingly being used in automotive electronics.  Applications include ignition control electronics, anti-lock brakes, crash sensors for airbags and electronic fuel injection.
• Gold as a catalyst - Interestingly, gold is also being used as an element in chemical processing, pollution control and fuel cell applications.  It is currently being used at a new BP Chemicals plant to produce vinyl acetate monomer, which is used to create emulsion paint and glues.  The application of a gold and palladium alloy catalyst has the potential of reducing odor and removing nitrogen oxides from diesel engine exhaust gases.
• Drug delivery microchips - Drug delivery microchips contain drug-filled reservoirs covered, sealed and protected by thin gold membranes.  The microchips are implanted, swallowed, or integrated into an intravenous delivery system.  Doses of the drug are administered to the patient by applying a small electric voltage to the gold reservoir cap, causing it to dissolve and allowing the drug to release from the reservoir.  The timing of each dose can be controlled by the doctor or the patient through the use of microprocessors or remote control or biosensors.
• Gold and gold compounds for cancer treatment – Researchers at the National University of Singapore recently patented novel gold complexes for use in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer.  Currently, the most broadly used treatments for many types of cancers are platinum-based drugs, but these can have serious side effects.  The university’s research team discovered that phosphine-supported gold complexes have the ability to fight tumours.  Clinical trials are expected to begin in the near future.

For information about the latest gold surface technologies, visit www.astfinishing.com.