The groundbreaking discovery of the Chinese. They found a new use for gold

Scientists from China have once again surprised the world by introducing innovative changes to the structure of gold, which have significantly improved its mechanical properties. Thanks to their work, gold has not only become more durable, but has also retained its plasticity, which could revolutionize many industrial sectors.

Innovative use of nanopores

A research team from the Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science came up with the idea of ​​introducing so-called nanopores into gold, or microscopic empty spaces that are usually considered to weaken the material. However, Chinese scientists decided to take a risk and control the size and arrangement of these nanopores, instead of eliminating them. The result of their experiment turned out to be groundbreaking – gold with nanopores shows twice the strength compared to traditional gold, while remaining ductile.

Published in the prestigious journal Science, the research results indicate a wide range of applications for the modified gold. Thanks to its increased strength while maintaining its lightness, the new gold could find applications in the aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics industries. All of these sectors are looking for materials that are both durable and lightweight, making the newly developed gold an ideal candidate.

Unexpected success

The most surprising thing about the whole process was the use of an approach that at first glance seemed to defy engineering logic. Usually, empty spaces, such as bubbles, are considered a defect because they can weaken the material. However, the Chinese scientists not only did not eliminate these bubbles, but actually used them, regulating their size and distribution, which brought unexpected benefits.

The key to the success was the controlled dispersion of nanopores smaller than 100 nanometers in diameter, achieved by precisely cooling and heating the gold. This approach reduced stress and strain concentration in the material, which in turn reduced the risk of cracking. This made the gold more durable and resistant to damage, opening up new application possibilities.

The achievements of Chinese scientists show that innovative thinking and the courage to experiment with new technologies can lead to breakthrough discoveries. Gold with nanopores, which is both strong and malleable, could soon become the basis for new products in various industries. In this way, Chinese research could influence the future of materials science and inspire further experiments with other metals.