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THE USES OF GOLD
INDUSTRY
AND AVIATION
AIRBAGS
Gold is used in automobile airbag deployment systems,
where a sensor device is placed inside the car near
the front bumper. This sensor contains gold-plated
electrical contacts that, when activated, send the
signal for the airbag to deploy. Because of its dependable
electrical conductivity and its resistance to corrosion
and tarnish, gold is the only metal that meets the
quality requirements for this life-saving feature.
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AIRCRAFT
ENGINES
Gold plays a vital role in the engines of military
and civilian aircraft. Gold is a major constituent
of a brazing alloy used in the manufacture of two
assemblies -- stators and tubes. These two assemblies
are integral to maintaining airflow and air compression
necessary for combustion engine operation. Gold also
plays a key role in aircraft electronics and guidance
systems.
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AIRCRAFT
WINDOWS
Many domestic and military aircraft use gold-coated
acrylic windows in the cockpit. In cold weather, these
windows, carrying an electric current, help eliminate
frost that might diminish the vision of the pilots.
These thin coatings of gold also help avert fogging
as the plane ascends through moisture-laden clouds.
During
warmer weather, gold's reflectivity helps maintain
cool cockpit temperatures on hot runways. In flight
at high, cold altitudes, gold's thermal conductivity
helps retain the heat of the cabin, keeping the
crew warm.
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ENGINE
SYSTEMS
Gold-plated connectors in the sensors for ignition
and exhaust monitoring ensure long-term efficiency
of automobile engine operation. Gold is integral in
maintaining car efficiency. Gold plated connectors
and contacts that operate in a car's engine require
materials that can withstand the high-temperature
and corrosive environment.
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FIRE
BUNKER GEAR
When a disaster occurs, such as an airplane crash
or hazardous chemical fire, firefighters must wear
protective "bunker gear" so they can get
close enough to the fire to control it. In close proximity
to intense heat, firefighters need to protect their
eyes while maintaining the ability to see the fire
scene clearly. Bunker gear head coverings have protective
face heat shields that are coated with a thin layer
of gold. Gold has been used for several years in this
safety-related application because of its heat and
infrared reflectivity.
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FOOD-FRESHNESS
SENSORS
Gold-coated sensors provide the food industry with
a system for measuring carbon dioxide gas, which is
necessary to prevent spoilage of fruits and vegetables.
Gold sensors are also important in maintaining carbon
dioxide levels required to extend the shelf life of
packaged and stored foods. The sensors containing
gold are unaffected by high humidity, an environment
that is needed for growing mushrooms, for example.
Gold is inert, so it will not react with other elements.
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GOLD
CATALYSIS
One of the exciting new applications for gold in industry
is as a catalyst. New developments in catalysis may
allow gold to replace or augment traditional catalysts,
resulting in a wide range of potential industrial
applications, including catalytic converters for automobiles.
Gold has always been thought to be relatively inactive
as a catalyst, compared to others such as platinum
and palladium. This seems to be changing.
Recent innovations and research have shown that when
properly prepared, gold can actually be preferable
to other, more conventional catalytic materials. For
instance, platinum and palladium require very high
temperatures for catalysis to occur. But under proper
conditions gold catalysis can occur at ambient temperatures,
making catalysis more effective across the thermal
spectrum. Gold catalysts can help keep our air cleaner.
Gold catalysts are also being researched for fuel
cells, powerful devices that could generate electricity
for automotive and industrial motors without creating
pollution.
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PROTECTION
OF AIR FORCE ONE
Air Force One, the airplane used by the President
of the United States, is equipped with gold-plated
reflectors. These reflectors confuse an incoming missile's
heat-seeking signal, making it difficult for missile's
guidance systems to focus on their target.
Since
gold provides the highest reflectivity of heat radiation,
it is an ideal countermeasure against heat-seeking
missiles.
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