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Wednesday, 27th May 2009 (3665 views)

Researchers at RMIT University in Australia have used gold in the development of a new nanotechnology sensor that can accurately measure mercury.

Scientists at the Melbourne higher educational establishment utilised small flecks of the precious metal that have been nano-engineered to make them attractive to mercury molecules.

It is hoped that the breakthrough will help to replace the current mercury detectors that are used in areas such as power generation and aluminium refinement, which professor Suresh Bhargava stated can be unreliable.

"Industrial chimneys release a complex concoction of volatile organic compounds, ammonia and water vapour that can interfere with the monitoring systems of mercury sensors," professor Bhargava explained.

He added that the aim was to develop a sensor that was robust enough to cope with such conditions, but also has the levels of sensitivity needed to give "precise" mercury vapour readings.

Earlier this week, IBM and the Bulgarian government reached an agreement that will see the computer firm's Blue Gene supercomputer used for nanotechnology research in the country.

 

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