Precious Metals

6 Precious Metals Used in HighTech: Shaping the Future

Veejay Ssudhan

Veejay Ssudhan

May 25, 2023
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The rapid growth of technology has created a demand for materials with unique properties that can meet the complex and evolving needs of high tech industries. In particular, precious metals – renowned for their rarity, durability, and unique physical properties – have become integral to technological advancement. Here, we delve into six precious metals that are integral to high tech industries.

1. Gold (Au)

Renowned for its timeless luster and inherent value, gold has always been a symbol of wealth and power. But beyond its aesthetic and economic appeal, gold plays a pivotal role in modern technological applications. Its high conductivity, resistance to tarnish and corrosion, and malleability have established gold as an essential component of various high tech industries, from electronics and aerospace to medical technology.  precious metals in High Tech sector.

Electronics

A significant portion of gold mined today finds its way into the electronics industry. Gold’s exceptional electrical conductivity, alongside its capacity to resist corrosion and tarnish, makes it indispensable in ensuring the reliable performance of many electronic devices.

In computer circuit boards, gold is used for its excellent ability to carry tiny currents without tarnishing or corroding. This is ensuring the optimal performance of our laptops and desktops. Similarly, in mobile phones, gold is used in the connectors that enable fast and efficient communication between different parts of the device. Furthermore, gold connectors are utilized in high-speed Ethernet cables and high-quality audio-visual components.

It is allowing for seamless transmission of data, audio, and video signals. The Primary use of precious metals such as Gold is in the Electronic industry. These precious metals have exceptional electrical conductivity.

Aerospace Technology

The aerospace industry also extensively employs gold. Space vehicles, satellites, and other communication devices often use gold-plated connectors, wiring, and other components. Gold’s unique physical properties allow it to resist the harsh and corrosive environment of space, ensuring reliable performance and longevity of the aerospace instruments.

One prominent example is the James Webb Space Telescope, which features a massive, gold-coated mirror. This gold layer enhances the mirror’s reflectivity of infrared light, allowing the telescope to observe distant galaxies and stellar phenomena more effectively.

Medical Technology

In the field of medical technology, gold’s biocompatibility and non-reactive nature make it an ideal choice for various applications. Gold is used in life-saving treatments, like cancer treatment, where tiny gold nanoparticles are used to target cancerous cells and enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy.

Additionally, gold is used in the construction of stents, pacemakers, and other critical medical implants. These devices need to be absolutely reliable and non-reactive to the human body, a criteria that gold fulfills admirably. For diagnostics, gold is used in rapid test strips and lateral flow assays, including those used for COVID-19 antigen testing.

Furthermore, gold nanoparticles are also showing promise in biomedical imaging and drug delivery systems, creating new possibilities for disease detection and treatment.

All the Metals We Mined in One Visualization

2. Silver (Ag)

Silver, celebrated throughout history for its radiant luster and intrinsic value, has earned an equally significant role in modern high tech industries. Due to its superior electrical conductivity, thermal properties, and chemical stability, silver has become an essential element in many technological applications, particularly in the electronics, solar energy, and medical industries.

Electronics

One of the most widespread applications of silver in the high tech industry is in electronics. Silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all metals, making it an excellent choice for a wide variety of electronic applications. It is a common material for electrical contacts and circuit boards due to its ability to carry a charge with minimal energy loss. From microprocessors in computers to switches in household appliances, silver ensures these devices function efficiently and effectively. Many chip makers has started noticing the use of precious metals like Silver in the manufacturing.

Moreover, silver is a critical material in the production of touch screens used in smartphones, tablets, and other interactive devices. Silver-based conductive ink creates the sensor grid that detects touch inputs, providing a responsive, precise interface for users.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology also utilizes silver’s conductive properties. This technology, used for tracking goods, logistics, and even livestock, relies on silver conductive ink for its tags. This efficient tracking significantly enhances supply chain management across numerous industries.

Solar Energy

The renewable energy sector, particularly solar power, is a major consumer of silver. High-purity silver is used as a conductive material in photovoltaic (PV) solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. The front and back contacts of a solar cell, crucial for transferring the electricity generated, are often made of silver due to its superior conductivity. Therefore, silver plays an integral role in enhancing the efficiency of solar panels and pushing forward sustainable energy solutions.

Medical Technology

The medical field has been quick to exploit the antimicrobial properties of silver. It is used in a variety of medical applications to prevent infection and accelerate healing. For instance, silver nanoparticles are incorporated into wound dressings and surgical tools to eliminate bacteria and reduce the risk of infection. In medical devices like catheters and heart valves, the use of silver helps minimize the risk of bacterial growth and biofilm formation.

Recent advancements have also seen the introduction of silver in biomedical imaging and drug delivery systems. Silver nanoparticles, due to their unique optical properties, can enhance the contrast in medical imaging techniques, aiding in accurate disease detection. In terms of drug delivery, silver nanoparticles can act as carriers for targeted drug delivery, reducing side effects and improving treatment efficiency.

3. Platinum (Pt)

Platinum, renowned for its rarity and striking silvery-white sheen, holds more than just aesthetic allure. This precious metal’s exceptional properties, including its high melting point, exceptional corrosion resistance, and stable electrical properties, make it a crucial ingredient in many high tech applications. The use of platinum is shaping industries of the future, particularly automotive, data storage, and medical technologies.

Automotive Industry

In the automotive industry, platinum plays a significant role in reducing environmental pollution. It is a key component in catalytic converters, which are devices fitted in vehicles to minimize harmful emissions. Catalytic converters utilize platinum as a catalyst to trigger chemical reactions that convert harmful gases into less damaging substances.

For example, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides are converted into carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas, respectively, thereby reducing the amount of pollution released into the environment. As the global community continues to prioritize environmentally friendly practices, the significance of platinum in this context will undoubtedly rise. The use of precious metals such as Platinum has  shaped the auto sector.

In addition, platinum is making strides in the burgeoning field of fuel cell technology. Fuel cells, which generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, use platinum as a catalyst to enhance the efficiency of this reaction. As the world moves toward cleaner, sustainable energy sources, platinum-based fuel cells are set to become a crucial component in the drive for green technology.

Data Storage

In the realm of data storage, platinum has become a linchpin for enhancing efficiency and capacity. With our increasing reliance on digital technologies, the demand for high-capacity data storage solutions has skyrocketed. Platinum has come to play a crucial role in meeting this demand.

In computer hard drives, a thin layer of platinum is incorporated into the magnetic layers to enhance storage capabilities. The addition of platinum allows more data to be written onto the disk, effectively increasing its storage capacity without the need for physical enlargement. As the world continues to generate vast amounts of digital data, the importance of platinum in facilitating effective data storage will only grow.

Moreover, the development of heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology, used to increase storage densities, relies on the unique properties of platinum. In HAMR drives, a tiny laser heats the hard disk, and a layer of magnetic material – often an alloy of iron and platinum – temporarily reduces its stability to write data. As the sector moves towards ever higher storage densities, platinum’s role becomes ever more significant.

Medical Technology

The medical field is another area where platinum’s unique properties are leveraged for technological advancements. Platinum’s biocompatibility, coupled with its resistance to corrosion, makes it an excellent material for a variety of medical applications, including implants such as pacemakers and stents. These devices must function consistently within the body without causing adverse reactions, a task for which platinum is well-suited.

In the realm of neurological treatments, platinum coils are used to treat brain aneurysms. When placed inside the aneurysm, these coils induce blood clotting, effectively blocking the aneurysm and preventing rupture. Given the life-saving nature of these procedures, the value of platinum in these medical technologies is truly priceless.

Additionally, platinum is used in chemotherapy treatments, specifically in drugs like cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin. These platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents have been effective in treating various forms of cancer, including testicular, ovarian, lung, bladder, and head and neck cancers. As research continues to advance in cancer treatment, the role of platinum may continue to evolve, potentially offering hope to millions of patients worldwide.

In the broader context of global technological development, platinum’s myriad applications in high-tech industries are shaping the future. It can help in reducing environmental pollution in automotive applications to revolutionizing data storage. Platinum is playing a vital role in life-saving medical technologies.  The role of platinum is expansive and growing. As we navigate the technological challenges and opportunities of the future, the importance of platinum in driving progress and innovation becomes increasingly clear. Its presence and utility in these industries ensure that platinum will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology.

4. Palladium (Pd)

The precious metal palladium may not be as widely recognized as gold or silver. Its unique physical and chemical properties are transforming a wide range of high tech industries. Notable for its excellent catalytic properties and  capacity to absorb vast amounts of hydrogen. It has stable electrical characteristics. Palladium is becoming a cornerstone of innovation in fields such as automotive technology, electronics, and hydrogen storage solutions.

Automotive Industry

A significant application of palladium is found in the automotive industry.  It plays a critical role in controlling harmful emissions. Like platinum, palladium is useful in catalytic converters. Devices that neutralize harmful gases produced by combustion engines. The catalyst triggers chemical reactions that convert these toxic gases into less harmful substances before they are emitted from the vehicle.

As global environmental standards become stricter and the demand for cleaner combustion engines rises, the use of palladium in this application is projected to grow, making it integral to the future of eco-friendly automotive technologies.

Moreover, as electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity, palladium’s role is evolving. While EVs don’t require traditional catalytic converters, palladium is used in certain types of fuel cells that are being explored for electric vehicles. Here, palladium’s unique ability to absorb up to 900 times its volume of hydrogen makes it a promising material for fuel cells and hydrogen storage, marking it as a key player in the burgeoning field of electric mobility.

Electronics Industry

In the electronics industry, palladium is beneficial for its stable electrical properties and resistance to corrosion. It’s frequently useful in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), a common type of capacitor found in a wide variety of electronics, including smartphones, computers, and televisions. The electrodes in MLCCs is made  from a palladium-silver alloy, combining the beneficial properties of both metals to ensure the capacitors perform effectively.

Furthermore, palladium is used in connector plating for a variety of electronic devices. These connectors, which link different parts of an electronic device, need to maintain stable electrical characteristics and resist corrosion. Palladium, often alloyed with a small amount of gold for enhanced performance, meets these requirements and ensures the longevity and reliability of these vital components.

Hydrogen Storage Solutions

Perhaps one of the most exciting applications of palladium is in the field of hydrogen storage. As the world pushes towards a clean energy future, hydrogen is gaining attention as a potential source of renewable energy. However, storing hydrogen safely and efficiently is a significant challenge, and here palladium offers a promising solution.

Palladium’s unique ability to absorb hydrogen allows it to store the gas at a much higher density than is possible under normal conditions. When you introduce hydrogen gas  to palladium, it diffuses into the metal and forms a solution, effectively enabling high-density storage of hydrogen. This property of palladium is being  useful for the development of efficient hydrogen storage solutions. This is  an essential step in establishing hydrogen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

Moreover, palladium membranes is useful in hydrogen purification processes. These membranes selectively allow hydrogen to pass through, effectively separating it from other gases. The resulting pure hydrogen has a wide range of applications, including use in fuel cells for clean energy generation.

In essence, palladium is a potent driving force behind some of the most impactful technological advancements of our time. Its playing a role in reducing emissions in automotive applications, maintaining reliable performance in electronics. Also it is enabling breakthroughs in hydrogen storage technologies by shaping the future of high tech industries. As the world continues to navigate the path towards sustainable, technologically advanced solutions, the influence and importance of palladium are certain to expand, playing an increasingly vital role in the industries of the future.

5. Use of Precious Metals: Rhodium (Rh)

Rhodium, a member of the platinum group of metals, is one of the rarest and most valuable elements on Earth. Despite its rarity, it plays a crucial role in several high tech industries, with its exceptional resistance to corrosion, high reflectance, and excellent catalytic properties leading to diverse applications in the automotive, electronics, and optics industries.

Automotive Industry

In the automotive industry, rhodium is a vital component of three-way catalytic converters, used to reduce harmful emissions from vehicles. The converter facilitates chemical reactions that convert harmful gases into less damaging substances: it turns nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and oxygen, carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide, and unburned hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water. Rhodium is the catalyst for the conversion of nitrogen oxides, which are a major contributor to air pollution and smog. Given the worldwide push towards reducing environmental pollution, the demand for rhodium in this industry is expecting to continue to rise.

Moreover, as automotive technology evolves towards more eco-friendly solutions, rhodium is finding application in the production of hydrogen fuel cells. Rhodium-based catalysts can enhance the efficiency of hydrogen-oxygen reactions in these cells, potentially contributing to the advancement of clean, sustainable transportation.

Electronics Industry

Rhodium’s resistance to corrosion and excellent electrical properties make it suitable for various applications in the electronics industry. Electrical connectors, switches, and contacts often use rhodium plating to ensure reliability and durability. This is particularly important in high-wear, high-temperature, or harsh environmental conditions where less hardy materials may degrade or fail. Its use in this industry ensures that our most critical devices, from computers to industrial machinery, continue to operate at peak efficiency.

Optics and Surface Science

In the field of optics and surface science, rhodium’s high reflectance of both light and heat is exploited. High-quality mirrors, especially those used in high-powered telescopes, often use a thin layer of rhodium due to its ability to reflect visible light and infrared radiation with high efficiency. This property allows astronomers and scientists to gather and analyze data from the cosmos more effectively.

Similarly, rhodium is used to coat the interior of high-performance headlamps and searchlights. The coating enhances the reflectance of light, thereby improving the efficiency and brightness of these lighting instruments.

Rhodium also has an important role in surface science, particularly in the manufacture of X-ray monochromators. These devices, which isolate single X-ray wavelengths from a broader spectrum, often use a rhodium-coated surface to enhance performance.

It is being one of the rarest metals on Earth. The diverse roles of rhodium in high tech industries make it an indispensable player in our technological future. Its involvement in reducing harmful vehicle emissions, ensuring the reliability of electronic components. It is improving the performance of optical instruments is contributing to ongoing advancements in these industries. As technology continues to evolve, the value of rhodium in shaping the high-tech landscape of the future becomes ever more evident.

6. Use of Precious Metals: Iridium (Ir)

Iridium, while not as widely recognized as other precious metals like gold, holds immense significance in various high tech industries. This dense, corrosion-resistant metal has the highest melting point of all the elements on the periodic table. This is making it especially valuable in environments that require extreme durability and heat resistance.

Electronics Industry

In the electronics industry, iridium’s resistance to corrosion and stable electrical properties make it a valuable material for certain types of electrical contacts. These contacts, often found in devices that operate in harsh or high-wear environments. It benefits from iridium’s durability and resistance to electrical sparking. Moreover, iridium is used in the manufacture of crucibles for growing single crystals. It is used especially for high-temperature superconductors and high-purity electronic applications. The primary use of precious metals such as Iridium  is in Electronic applications.

Aerospace and Telecommunications

In the aerospace and telecommunications sectors, iridium’s unique properties is useful. The metal is useful in the construction of devices like spark plugs in internal combustion engines of rockets due to its high melting point and lack of reactivity.

The name ‘iridium’ is also synonymous with global satellite communications. The Iridium satellite constellation, named for the 77th element on the periodic table (before a miscalculation was found and it ended up being the 76th), provides voice and data coverage to satellite phones, pagers, and integrated transceivers over the Earth’s entire surface.

Medical Technology

In the field of medicine, iridium has a critical role. Radioactive isotopes of iridium are used in a type of radiation therapy called brachytherapy, which is used to treat various forms of cancer. This treatment involves placing radioactive seeds inside or near tumors. They deliver a localized dose of radiation to kill cancer cells. Iridium’s high radiation output makes it ideal for this type of treatment. The primary use of precious metals like Iridium is in Radiation therapy.

With its unique properties and wide range of applications, iridium is significantly contributing to the advancement of high-tech industries. Whether it’s enhancing the reliability of electronic devices, powering space exploration, or enabling life-saving medical treatments, iridium’s influence in shaping the future of technology is undeniable.

BONUS: Lithium (Li)

Lithium, the lightest of all metals, holds a powerful place in high tech industries. This is largely owing to its unique chemical and physical properties. It has high electrochemical potential and is capable of storing a large amount of energy. Hence it is making Lithium the material of choice in various technologies.

Battery Technology

The most significant application of lithium in high tech industries is in lithium-ion batteries. This is the dominant technology for rechargeable energy storage. The use of precious metals like Li in Battery has shaped the EV industry. These batteries power a wide range of devices, from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. The high energy density of lithium-ion batteries allows for longer device operation or driving range. This is a key selling point for many modern technologies.

Aerospace Industry

In the aerospace industry, lithium-aluminium alloys are used to manufacture aircraft. Primary use of precious metals like Li has helped the Aero Space. The addition of lithium to aluminium reduces weight and improves stiffness, crucial for enhancing fuel efficiency and overall performance. This lightweight and strong alloy could play a pivotal role in the future of aerospace technology.

Nuclear Industry

In the nuclear industry, lithium is useful in both fission and fusion power generation. Lithium-6, an isotope of lithium, is useful in nuclear reactors as a source of tritium, a component of fusion fuel. It also absorbs neutrons in fission reactors, which helps control the nuclear reaction.

They are useful in portable electronic devices and electric vehicles to aerospace and nuclear power generation. Lithium’s contribution to the high tech industries is vast and continues to grow. The technological advancements demand more efficient and lightweight energy storage solutions. The importance of lithium in shaping our technological future is set to soar.

Final Thoughts

From the smartphones  to the cars we drive, and even to the probes we send to space, these six precious metals  play essential roles. Their unique properties make them invaluable in our quest to develop new technologies. It is shaping industries, and improve our quality of life. As technology continues to evolve and innovate, we can only expect the demand for these precious metals to rise. It is underscoring their worth not only as monetary assets but also as key drivers of technological progression.

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