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Monday, 23rd June 2008 (2733 views)

Gold nanoparticles that are so small they cannot be seen with the human eye have been discovered by Australian scientists.

Particles have previously been artificially created and now have finally been seen naturally occurring outside of the laboratory by CSIRO scientists working with scientists from Curtin University and the University of Western Australia (CSIRO).

The discovery may help exploration companies find new gold deposits.

Dr Rob Hough, research scientist from CSIRO, explained the nanoparticles were found on clay in the west of Australia where groundwater is very acidic and salty.

He explained: "This water dissolves primary gold and re-deposits it as pure gold crystals on fracture surfaces."

Upon examining the fracture surfaces, analysis found the clay had up to 59 parts-per-million of gold.

Gold nanoparticles have been used to help detect biological toxins, according to the BBC and Scientific American reported the nanoparticles have been used in the development of HIV drugs.

 

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