Thar’s Gold in Them Vials
Scientists at Michigan State University have fulfilled the dream of ancient alchemists by unlocking the secret to create gold. In an effort to reproduce what they believe happens in nature, the researchers gave bacteria lots of liquid gold chloride in a glass bioreactor and after about a week, it turned into 24 carat gold.
“Microbial alchemy is what we’re doing — transforming gold from something that has no value into a solid, precious metal that’s valuable,” said Kazem Kashefi, assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics who worked on the project with Adam Brown, associate professor of electronic art and intermedia at Michigan State University.
The process is too cost-prohibitive for mass gold production but the achievement certainly raises new questions on the nexus of science, environment and greed. H/T Geobeats Science.
