While gold and silver are often prized for their role as currency, jewelry, and collectibles, the value of these metals in society goes far beyond this. Modern-day advances have found many incredible uses for common metals like copper and rare metals like lanthanum. Tech metals are used for everything from enhancing features to forming the essential core of new innovations. Discover more about the applications of metals technology below.
Silver in Modern Technology
Although beautiful in coins and jewelry, silver has also established itself as one of the standout options in metals technology. The United States, Canada, and China are some of the top consumers of silver today.
- Cabling: There is no comparison to silver’s capabilities regarding conductivity. It is one of the top choices for cabling due to its reliability and accessibility. While silver-core cables have existed for some time, they have recently gained popularity with musicians and are often used in recording studios.
- Electronics: Just about every electronic device today incorporates silver in varying degrees. Harkening back to their high conductivity, they are heavily used in circuit boards and chips. TVs, cell phones, microwaves, and many more common technologies all use silver.
- Photography: In the 90s, silver’s highest consumer usage came from photography. Silver nitrate creates light-sensitive halide crystals that can create imagery from professional cameras and even X-ray machines. Demand has since declined due to the introduction of digital photography, however, silver nitrate is still used regularly.
Gold in Modern Technology
While not as highly integrated as silver, roughly 11% of gold is used in metals technology or industrial consumption.
- Space Tech: Gold has a unique ability to shield against certain radiation. As a result, it is often used in space tech such as satellites and spaceships. As interest in space exploration continues to grow with time, the uses of gold are expected to expand.
- Medical Devices: One of the most appealing reasons to use gold when comparing potential tech metals is its antimicrobial properties. A simple gold coating in devices such as hearing aids and implants can combat infection and reduce the chance of an allergic reaction in patients.
- Medicine: While gold usage in medical devices may not be surprising, gold use in medicines might be. Yes, that is correct. Gold-based medicine to treat arthritis, dysentery, and even some cancers is still being trialed and tested today.
Rare Metals in Modern Technology
While common metals are often preferred because of their accessibility and cost-effectiveness, rare metals need to be used for special-use cases as well.
- Lanthanum: You’ll typically find this metal in car parts like hybrid batteries, catalytic converters, and diesel fuel additives. Lanthanum is also used in special lenses for cameras.
- Lithium: Of the many rare metals, lithium may be one of the more well-known examples. Lithium is often seen in certain batteries because it discharges its energy more slowly and thus carries a higher energy life than other battery options.
- Neodymium: This silvery-white metal is commonly used in hybrid electric vehicles as environmentally conscious cars have grown in popularity.
A Continuing Resource For Metals Technology
Gold, silver, and other rare metals are heavily intertwined with technological advancements. From smartphones to solar panels, many citizens use tech metals every day without even realizing it. Staying informed about changes in gold and silver technology and also in the coin and currency industry can help collectors and investors make the best decisions. Remain updated on the latest gold and silver news with ModernCoinMart’s resource blog.
We also provide a wide selection of gold and silver coins for numismatists eager to apply their knowledge and build their collections.
