The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Tuesday, 31st May 2005 (6086 views)

Gold is being used in a new nanoscale etching process discovered by researchers at the University of Arkansas.<br/><br/>The research team have discovered a way to use a liquid medium to sculpt material, such as gold, at a nanoscale level and in a predictable, inexpensive and controllable way, according to AZoNano.<br/><br/>If successful the technique could be used in single DNA detection devices like nanopores, nanojets for fuel or drug delivery, molecular devices for sorting protein and computer aided designing (CAD).<br/><br/>Ajay Malshe, associate professor in mechanical engineering at the University of Arkansas, said: "With this technique, you can remove on demand precisely what you want to, where you want to remove it. It's very simple but very powerful."<br/><br/>Using nanoscale electro machining (nano-EM) nanopores as small as eight to ten nanometres in diameter are etched on an atomically flat gold surface.<br/><br/>An electric field is then applied using a scanning tunnelling microscope and dielectric oil, causing precise ejection of gold atoms and then creating tiny pores.<br/><br/>At present manufacturers have problems with the vacuum chambers and expensive equipment needed for such techniques.<br/><br/>Materials including gold can be manipulated more easily with the technology, simply by using the appropriate liquid and process conditions.<img alt="track" src="http://directnews.dehavilland.co.uk/dn.gif?feedid=196&itemid=8633697"/>

 

« Back to Gold News stories