Platinum needs an introduction like it needs to be protected in an argon-filled glass vial - which is to say neither. But we’ll do both all the same! Among the more innovative uses of this metal it has been found that platinum nanoparticles (very very finely powdered platinum metal) are very effective antimicrobials, especially when combined with silver, so has been gaining use in wound care. Inside the body, too, platinum has been enlisted on the cancer-fighting front for its potential in aiding drugs find their tumorous targets.

Finally, one of its most long-standing uses not already mentioned elsewhere on this website is that platinum is used extensively in lab settings. The heftiest use tends to be crucibles, very costly ones obviously, but needed because of this metal’s steadfast refusal to combine chemically with anything else even at white hot temps that either melt or badly oxidize crucibles made with lesser materials. Elsewhere in labs platinum figures prominently as electrodes, wire, thermocouples (high temperature thermometers), electrodes and a lengthy list of chemicals.

Here we have rolled up thick foil, another lab staple, which is normally used for placing samples on that are bound for the furnace. The platinum neither reacts chemically with the sample nor melts or corrodes. Basically, a substitute for a crucible when the samples are small.

Ampule shown contains five grams of 99.95% pure platinum metal in thin, folded films.