Industrial Applications of Gold: Funding of R & D Projects

World Gold Council, supported by the gold mining industry, has recognised the importance of actively promoting industrial applications of gold. A strategy is now in place to support this goal. One key element is the encouragement of commercial exploitation of applied gold based research by dissemination of the latest research in its leading scientific journal, Gold Bulletin.

Another key element is the encouragement of new research studies into the basic science of gold and in applying this to new potential applications.

Limited funds are available to support short term R & D projects on basic science and technology and its applications, especially those feasibility studies focused on new or expanded uses of gold in industrial applications. Researchers in academia or industry with such proposals for funding support are invited to submit applications to the address below.

During 2009 The Council is particularly interested in receiving proposals relating to the following areas:

Advanced electronics (including any technology or component likely to be used in next-generation devices)
Fuel cell systems (including applications both within the fuel cell structure and hydrogen processing infrastructure)
Optical materials (including nanotechnology, chemicals and coatings)

Only a limited number of projects will be supported via the GROW Programme. In the expectation that a large number of proposals will be submitted, applicants are recommended to initially submit a one page summary of their proposal.

Programme guidelines and a proposal form can be downloaded below. Proposals will be assessed for their technical merit by a panel of experts.

Previous GROW research projects that have contributed or directly led to patent applications and potential new industrial applications for gold include the following (click on project to see patent details):

Gold-palladium catalysts for in-situ generation of hydrogen peroxide

Gold containing advanced adsorption materials for sensor and gas storage applications

Gold containing catalysts for low temperature water gas shift activity for use in fuel processors

Gold-alloy nanoparticles as fuel cell catalysts

Gold nanoparticles for improved liquid crystal displays

Dr Richard Holliday
Industrial Applications Manager
World Gold Council,
International Technology
55 Old Broad Street
London
EC2M 1RX
U.K.
Tel: +44 (0)207 826 4700 fax: +44 (0)207 8264799
e-mail: industry@gold.org

Download GROW programme guidelines

Download GROW programme research proposal form