Scientists Accidentally Create Gold Hydride – A First in History!

Scientists Accidentally Create Solid Gold Hydride Under Extreme Conditions

Accidental Discovery at SLAC and European XFEL

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have made history — completely by accident! 💥 While studying how hydrocarbons transform into diamonds under extreme heat and pressure at the European XFEL in Germany, researchers used a thin gold foil to absorb X-rays. Instead, hydrogen atoms reacted with the gold, forming solid gold hydride — a compound never seen before.

Extreme Conditions That Changed Gold

This reaction occurred at over 3,500°F and pressures greater than Earth’s mantle. Under these conditions, hydrogen entered a superionic state, moving freely inside the gold lattice and dramatically boosting its conductivity.

Why This Discovery Matters

• Unlocks secrets about dense hydrogen deep inside giant planets 🌍
• Reveals more about fusion processes in stars ✨
• Could inspire new energy technologies here on Earth ⚡

Conclusion

Gold — usually considered ‘chemically boring’ — has proven it can surprise us under extreme conditions. This breakthrough not only reshapes our understanding of chemistry but also opens doors to planetary science and futuristic energy solutions. 🌌