Microbial Alchemy: Bacteria Turn Toxic Material Into Gold Nuggets - And Art
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 - 10:31
in Physics & Chemistry
Gold has reached an all-time high and researchers have discovered a bacterium's ability to withstand incredible amounts of toxicity is key to creating 24-karat gold. Alchemy was once a pipe dream of ancient chemistry but now it is entirely possible, if you have enough energy. In the metal-tolerant bacteria Cupriavidus metallidurans it instead takes massive amounts of toxicity; the bacterium can grow on gold chloride, liquid gold, a toxic chemical compound found in nature. read more