A Sneak Peek On The Applications Of Gold Nano Wires

The constant quest of improving the capabilities by exploring new venues through the development of technology to new levels has been the highlight of human development as the supreme specie on the planet. This has led to the humans finding new technologies and subsequently improving them so as to enhance the overall standard of life.

Nanotechnology is one of the most contemporary major developments in the scientific arena, and the immense possibilities of this technology are undoubtedly being rigorously researched upon. This technology is expected to come up with certain unforeseen benefits because of the unconventional anomaly shown by the materials as the size of the material is reduced to smaller dimensions.

Basics of Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is based on the fact that the properties of the materials when in the size of the order of nano are completely different from the bulk properties of the same material in similar operational conditions. This anomalous behavior is shown due to the quantum effects taking control at the molecular and sub-molecular levels. Various technological advancements in the research and production fields have led to the fabrication of nano particles so that they may be used for various purposes.

Nano technology has found applications in various fields including medical, electronics, biometric research and designing to name a few. The unusual behavioral characteristics of materials at nano scale have made it possible to use them at some of the applications that were earlier not possible. Nano wires are one such instance.

Gold Nano Wires | Image Resource : c1.staticflickr.com

Nano wires are nanostructures usually of the diameter of the order of 1 to 1000 nanometers. It has been observed that at these dimensional scales, the quantum mechanical effects come in view, thus these wires are also called as ‘Quantum Wires.' Due to the size schematics, it can be considered for all practical purposes that these structures are one dimensional as the ratio of length and breadth is 1000 or more than that giving the wire a discrete one dimensional appearance. Now as the structure is quantum confined in one direction. This increases the overall electrical conductance of the wire making it suitable for many high precision applications like electronics and opto-electronic devices.

Except the obvious ornamental applications, Gold as an element has some marvelous characteristics that stand it out of the league of other metals. Gold has one of the highest electrical conductance’s in the naturally excavated elements due to which it should have been very beneficial if used in electronic appliances but its expensive traits have curbed that possibility. But at nano structural levels the molecular configuration of the element changes drastically. Gold nano wires are synthesized by using Anodic Aluminium Oxide (AAO) modules and combining them with direct electro deposition.

Possible Applications of Gold Nano wires

Medical Applications: One of the most important applications of Gold nano wires is in Glucose Biosensors. These devices are designed to monitor the glucose concentration in the patient’s body, used frequently for keeping a tab over the medical condition of the diabetics. When Gold Nano rods, in combination with glutaraldehyde, are used in the detection module of the equipment, then the capability of the device to detect even the slightest of deviation from the prescribed limit can be found making it easier for the physician to administer suitable measures for controlling the situation.

Industrial Applications: Other important application of these modern marvels is in manufacturing comparatively less expensive solar cells. In the solar cells, platinum is the most preferred metal in the wiring of the solar cells but is extremely expensive. Certain researches have shown that the use of gold nano wires in combination with silver can be used as a possible replacement for the highly expensive platinum wiring. This may be instrumental in decreasing the production and operational costs of the solar cells leading to a subsequent increase in the usage of solar energy.

The application capabilities of the nano rods are practically immense and with new researches being carried out to find and understand the different prospects of these structures, it can be very well apprehended as the tech that can shape a different era of development. The usage of nano wires has increased in the related equipment and is likely to remain on the same trend because of the favorable operational characteristics shown by it.