Matter & Energy News -- ScienceDaily

• Scientists just mapped platinum atoms — and it could transform catalysis forever
  A precious metal used everywhere from car exhaust systems to fuel cells, platinum is an incredibly efficient catalyst—but it's costly and carbon-intensive. Now, a serendipitous collaboration between scientists at ETH Zurich and other European institutions has opened a new frontier in understanding and optimizing platinum-based catalysts at the atomic level.
• This breakthrough turns old tech into pure gold — No mercury, no cyanide, just light and salt
  At Flinders University, scientists have cracked a cleaner and greener way to extract gold—not just from ore, but also from our mounting piles of e-waste. By using a compound normally found in pool disinfectants and a novel polymer that can be reused, the method avoids toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide. It even works on trace gold in scientific waste. Tested on everything from circuit boards to mixed-metal ores, the approach offers a promising solution to both the global gold rush and the growing e-waste crisis. The technique could be a game-changer for artisanal miners and recyclers, helping recover valuable metals while protecting people and the planet.