Scientists Use Gold to Create Fuel Cells

Researchers and scientists look into alternative methods to power cars and keep all kinds of electronic devices going because we have to find new ways to fuel the things that make our lives easier. They are looking to gold as they look into new sources for power and energy. And why not? Gold is nothing if it isn't renewable. Gold that was mined from the earth in ancient times is still being used today. Unlike many of the things that we make today that are flimsy and disposable, gold is sturdy and long-lasting. The energy used to mine gold is not wasted because once gold is mined, it can be used over and over again. Just ask any gold refiner.

At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers are making new fuel cells that they hope one day will be used to power electronic devices like hybrid cars--and gold is a key component. They have made a battery that makes use of gold and of viruses that were created especially for research purposes. These experimental batteries cannot go through as many charge cycles as the lithium-ion batteries some of us already use, but researchers say that they will outlast lithium-ion batteries. It is all very complicated, but somehow the virus manages to turn itself into an electrode after coating itself with cobalt oxide and gold and forming a nanowire.

President Barack Obama as spoken about the importance of finding new energy sources and he has been treated to a demonstration of these batteries that use gold. No word on what he thought, however. We imagine that seeing such technology in action would be rather impressive. Gold is not just for jewelry and it is more than just a pretty face. Gold has many industrial uses and it is not just for decoration.

You, however, do not need anyone to tell you about the power of gold. Researchers are finding that it is an alternative energy source, but you probably already know that it is a source of funding when you need it as well. If you need some money, you can sell gold to get cash for gold. When it is not assisting lab-created viruses as they turn themselves into electrodes, gold is assisting people to get some extra dough when they need it.