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YahooWhat's interesting about this technology is that for centuries gold nanoparticles have only been used for the color red in stained glass. For instance, silver has been used for blue, copper for green, etc. However, none of these other types of nanoparticles have been shown to provide catalytic activity that "cleans up" VOCs. Recently, Nanopartz, a US firm, has developed and released a line of gold nanorods that solve this problem. Gold nanorods are like spherical gold nanoparticles, only elongated into a rod shape. The aspect ratio, or the length vs. diameter ratio can be tuned allowing for the creation of different colors including blue, green, red, yellow, brown,etc. These colors can be tuned from the visible to the mid infrared allowing for catalytic activity across the electromagnetic spectrum. Pretty interesting eh?
Church windows painted with gold nanoparticles good for your health
in Physical Science, Structure of Matter, Chemical Reactions, and Energy Transformations
Stained-glass windows: Uplifting to look at, and good for your physical health, too.
Courtesy Mark RyanWhile Gene continues obsessing over the ways of the flesh (see below, and here), I shall take the high road and offer this post that involves both our corporeal and spiritual realms.
A recent study out of Australia's Queensland University of Technology shows that tiny particles of gold embedded in the paint of stained glass windows not only add to the beauty of church windows (which no doubt enhance the experience of being inside the church), but also have some health benefits.
It seems medieval glaziers, who could be considered the first nanotechnologists, used different sized gold particles to create a variety of colors. The windows produced over the centuries for churches across Europe are certainly uplifting to look at, but until now nobody realized the additional health benefits they carry for our physical beings.
What happens is when sunlight illuminates the stained glass, the gold nanoparticles resonate as they heat up. This resonance increases significantly the magnetic field across the element’s surface that in turn interacts with and destroys nasty pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are present in the air.
"These VOCs create that 'new' smell as they are slowly released from walls and furniture, but they, along with methanol and carbon monoxide, are not good for your health, even in small amounts," said associate professor Zhu Huai Yong, a member of the team that did the study.
The chemical reaction purifies the air with only small amounts of carbon dioxide as a byproduct. Yong is excited about the prospect of using gold nanoparticles in future research.
"Once this technology can be applied to produce specialty chemicals at ambient temperature, it heralds significant changes in the economy and environmental impact of the chemical production," he said.
SOURCE
Queensland University of Technology site story
Your Comments, Thoughts, Questions, Ideas
up until now, i only thought that stained glasses in church windows are for decorative purposes only. it's interesting to know that these colorful windows are, in a way, good for the patrons health.
I agree, I didn't know that they were really gold. Are they really good for your health?? If they are then that is really cool that gold is good for your health.
Precious metals have been known to enhance a person's good health. Current technologies have seen this knowledge applied in various inventions (such as through airconditioning and washing machine appliances).
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