In an increasingly interconnected world, gold plays a pivotal role in bridging distances and fostering global connectivity. 

From the smartphones that keep us in touch, to the medical advancements that improve our health, to spacesuits that enable us to explore the cosmos, gold is an invisible thread weaving together the fabric of our modern lives. 

These innovations are the result of constantly pushing the idea of what is possible, to see what’s next and where our dreams can take us. Once, the idea of putting a person on the moon seemed absurd. Today, we explore space and push boundaries to learn more about the universe and our place in it.

The creativity and imagination necessary to take us to the stars has resulted in exciting new discoveries we now use in our daily lives. Space exploration has led to innovations such as renewable energy sources, wireless and satellite communication technologies, and remote sensing devices. And much of it would not be possible without gold.

Powering Connectivity 

One of the most commonly mined metals in Alaska, gold has unique properties – electrical conductivity, malleability, and resistance to corrosion – that make it an indispensable component of the technologies that shape our world.

Gold is one of the most conductive metals, making it an essential material in many electronics. It is used in a variety of components, including wires, connectors, and microchips. Gold's conductivity ensures that electrical signals can flow quickly and reliably, which is critical for the operation of our smartphones, computers, and sensors.

Gold is an essential element in the electronics that operate increasingly sophisticated aspects of automobiles, airplanes and other modes of transport. Gold components can be found in circuit boards, airbags, audio systems, sensors used in autonomous vehicles to detect objects, and other electronic systems that allow us to travel the globe.

Discovering New Frontiers

In addition to these well-known applications, gold is also being used in increasingly sophisticated ways that are changing what is possible. 

Gold nanoparticles can speed up and improve chemical reactions, which makes them invaluable in various industries. That includes everything from more efficient production of pharmaceuticals with fewer side effects, reduced energy consumption and waste generation in industrial processes, and more effective environmental cleanup tools. 

As we continue to look for new ways to do things better, to stay connected from one corner of the globe to another – or from one galaxy to the next! – it will require a spirit of discovery and innovation. Wherever that takes us, Alaska’s mined metal can help power that exploration. 

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Sources: 

“Gold Nanoparticles as Efficient Catalysts in Organic Transformations.” Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 2021.

“How do gold nanoparticles boost the performance of perovskite solar cells?” Nano Energy, 2022.

“Gold Nanoparticle-Based Optical Nanosensors for Food and Health Safety Monitoring: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives.” Royal Society of Chemistry, 2022.

“Astronaut Bling: Why Gold Goes to Space on Every Mission.” National Geographic, 2016.

“Precious Metals in Cars.” APMEX.com, 2022.